Persistence: The Stuff of Legends and Heroes

“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.” -Calvin Coolidge

At the start of their careers, Michael Jordan, Lucille Ball, and Walt Disney were told they did not have what it takes to succeed. Despite being discouraged, they persisted and became legends in their own right.

Persistence, not luck, contributed to their success. A lack of persistence is among the top reasons many do not achieve their dreams. They have no belief in themselves, no insatiable appetite for achieving their dream, and they constantly make excuses for not taking action. Therefore, they do not persist.

When you have been discouraged, as Jordan, Ball and Disney once were, it may be easy to buy into others’ negative opinions and give up. One way to overcome those feelings of defeat is to have a passionate belief in yourself. Allowing others’ opinion to define you can be paralyzing. Instead, allow your belief in yourself to drive out the negative opinion of others. Then, press on!

Also see: Believe in Yourself: The Little Engine That Knows it Will

It is also important to be persistent when you make a mistake or feel you have failed in some way. Those can be some of the hardest times. Yet, they can be some of your best opportunities to learn and grow. How you respond to those moments can determine your next steps and your outcomes.

In the best-selling book Rich Dad Poor Dad, author Robert Kiyosaki explains it this way, “Failure inspires winners. The greatest secret of winners is that failure inspires winning; thus, they’re not afraid of losing.”

Share some of your techniques for being persistent.
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