PERSISTENCE

Sometimes the reason we reach our goals or give up on our goals has to do with our PERSISTENCE, or perhaps lack thereof. 

PERSISTENCE can be defined as the sustained effort necessary to induce faith in achieving our goals. It is also a firm continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty. 

How do we develop PERSISTENCE?

Here are four things you can do to develop persistence:

1. Create a definite purpose backed by a burning desire for its fulfillment. 

That is why one of the first things we do when setting a goal is to define the specific goal, the result we will achieve, and the date it will be done by. That is your definite purpose. Next we explore why the goal is important in depth. That is your burning desire for its fulfillment.

2. Create a definite plan, expressed in continuous action.

That is why we spend so much time brainstorming actions we can take towards our goal and putting them onto our calendar. Planning massive action is the step that will get you to your goal.

3. Close your mind tightly against all negative and discouraging influences.

That is why we purposefully look at all the obstacles that we can imagine might keep us from our goal and brainstorm upfront strategies to combat them. We also confront failure and admit to ourselves in advance that failures are necessary to learn and achieve what we want. We know we are going to fail right up until the moment that we finally succeed, expect the failures, and don’t let them discourage us.

4. Form a friendly alliance with one or more people who will encourage you to follow through with both your plan and your purpose.

These folks can be friends who will support you, your partner or family, people with similar interests you find in person or on the internet, or a coach, or whoever you can find that fits the bill. Research shows that sharing your plan and purpose helps you achieve your goal. It also gives you a greater pool of knowledge and experience to draw from as well as some cheerleaders you can lean on when you need them.

PERSISTENCE is important for staying the course and achieving your goal. 

When it comes to PERSISTENCE, I think sports is a good place to look towards. So I will leave with a quote from an American football player and coach, Bear Bryant, “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.”