Reflecting on many of my failures, often times at the root has been a lack of persistence.
Calvin Coolidge declared, “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
By understanding this, I still have not acknowledged the elephant in the living room…how do you increase persistence if you are not adequately satisfied with your current “persistence muscle”?
In one of the best all time books on accumulating wealth, Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill states this formula for developing persistence.
How to develop persistence:
- A definite purpose backed by a burning desire for its fulfillment
- A definite plan, expressed in continuous action
- A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.
- A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.
How clear is your purpose? Can you visualize it to the point that it appears real? Do you have a plan to achieve it? Is it written down? Is it reviewed daily? What are you watching and listening to? Who are you hanging out with? What are you reading? Who is holding you accountable? Do they believe in you? Will they let you off the hook?
A Japanese proverb states, “Money grows on the tree of persistence.”
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