Ways of Persistence

We look to role models in developing our ability to persist in the direction of a dream. Those who have succeeded before us can help us develop faith and resilience.

Engrained in me now is Og Mandino’s famous line, “I will persist until I succeed.” He likens a successful person’s persistence to the force of a young bull willing to charge despite the sting of the blade his handlers prick him with. Mandino writes, “Henceforth I am tested by life in like manner. If I persist, if I continue to try, if I continue to charge forward, I will succeed.”

I have drawn upon Mandino’s powerful messages to keep me leaning in and moving forward in service of worthy goals and dreams. Thoughts of the “charge,” of being tested, and of succeeding simply by being willing to keep going, can be motivational game-changers.

In Think and Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill stresses, “There may be no heroic connotation to the word ‘persistence,’ but the quality is to character what carbon is to steel.” Once again, the message is galvanizing.

In each of us, the fire of transformation is stoked by one essential element: DESIRE – that which Hill calls “the starting point of all achievement.” He advises, “If you find yourself lacking in persistence, this weakness may be remedied by building a stronger fire under your desires.” Furthermore, Hill notes that no one enjoys great achievement without “passing the persistence test.” There is an “irresistible power which comes to the rescue of those who fight on in the face of discouragement.”

I cherish the works of Og Mandino and Napoleon Hill, and I can think of many times when the language of the good fight has sustained not only me, but those around me, and ignited our actions in the direction of our dreams.

That said, it’s a given that our emotions and energy levels are ever-changing. One day we may be buoyed for the adventure and loving it. Yet on the next, we may find ourselves exhausted in an upward climb on a seemingly endless learning curve. Suddenly the to-do list seems unwieldy, the project pile daunting, and the emails endless.

How do we persist effectively instead of succumbing to overwhelm?

Here are TWO suggestions:

1. Check in and discover if it’s actually a moment to take time out – or at least to schedule a break.

In his landmark book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey culminates with “Habit 7 Sharpen the Saw: Principles of Balanced Self-Renewal.” He points out the merits of taking breaks to rejuvenate. This is not the same as giving up! It’s about restoration in the service of personal wellness and excellence – and on the whole, persistence. It may simply be time to rest and play; if you’d like to explore that subject, read more here.

2. Carry on and be gentle with yourself and with life.

And here is the real focus of my blog today: Persistence can be gentle. While it can move like the bull sometimes, and beautifully so, it can also move softly and be just as effective – if not more so. Your state of mind in approaching the next task (even if it’s one of fifty) can be that of a swimmer calmly wading into cool water on a hot day.

In those times when we’re feeling tired from the start, when we’ve worked relentlessly, we can take our cues from Nature and adopt the attitude of effortless ease.

I love this passage from Deepak Chopra’s The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success:

If you observe nature at work, you will see that least effort is expended. Grass doesn’t try to grow, it just grows. Fish don’t try to swim, they just swim. Flowers don’t try to bloom, they bloom. Birds don’t try to fly, they just fly. This is their intrinsic nature. The earth doesn’t try to spin on its own axis; it is the nature of the earth to spin with dizzying speed and to hurtle through space. It is the nature of babies to be in bliss. It is the nature of the sun to shine. It is the nature of the stars to glitter and sparkle. And it is human nature to make our dreams manifest into physical form, easily and effortlessly.

Relax, take a deep breath, and focus on one task at a time. Remember the Big Picture. What is your ultimate purpose in this task? What is your heart’s desire? At these times I take a leaf from Covey who encourages us all to recognize our purpose as mighty and to serve.

You are here to bless others. We all are, each in our own way.

Persist calmly, confidently and gently; you will succeed.