Definition of persistence:
Continuing firmly and steadfastly despite obstacles; to continue in existence: enduring.
Say It
As you speak the following phrases, believe and embrace them. Visualize yourself having what you state—possess it. Notice how your voice and body respond to each “I” statement:
I acknowledge the importance of being persistent.
I keep going until I reach my goal.
I possess an inner drive of persistence.
I am set up to keep going; I succeed by being persistent.
I am persistent and will always press on.
Believe It
A persistent person always gets what he or she wants, so never stop believing in yourself and striving to achieve your goals. Remember that nothing in the world can stop the success of a person who has dogged determination. In the game of life, persistence and purpose are power twins that remain undefeated—if you begin to adopt these qualities in your own life, you can’t help but see your goals begin to manifest.
When Harold chose to leave high school to enlist in the Navy, for instance, he dreamed that all of his children would have the opportunity to attend college. Throughout his life he often held down several jobs—sometimes working all day and all night—to make ends meet. Yet when times got tough, Harold never gave up. He was persistent in achieving his goals, which were providing for his family and making sure that his children had the opportunities he never had. Everything he wanted eventually came to him, because he never gave up, caved in, or quit.
Persistence is remaining focused on the task at hand, no matter what’s going on around you. Harold could have easily thrown in the towel from the stress and pressure he was facing, but it was his ability to look adversity in the face that helped him continue to press toward the mark and ultimately succeed in life.
Receive It
How would you rate your persistence—do you have an unstoppable attitude? Quietly meditate on the events in your life that thwarted you: Were they outside challenges, or did issues within yourself slow you down? What could you have done to get around those barriers and move on toward your goal? How will you handle the next obstacle that you perceive in your life? Will you sit down and give up, or will you find a way over, under, around, or through whatever gets in your way? Now that you know that persistence is key to reaching your goals, I hope you understand that if you keep plugging away at whatever gets in your way, it will give way.
Life just can’t beat the person who keeps coming back, the person who never, ever gives up. Most of the time, when you remain steadfast in the face of challenges, you acquire the strength necessary to see things through to the end. You see, persistence will build up your ability to endure. You won’t get intimidated by negativity, but instead will feel a sense of empowerment in knowing that you didn’t let anything deter you. The difference between those who quit and those who press on is simply a spirit of persistence. It’s a decision. In every champion, you’ll find one key ingredient: an attitude of unshakable determination.
Quotes
“I have learned that success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.”
— Booker T. Washington
“Nothing in the world can take the place of a person who is persistent. In the game of life, persistence remains undefeated.”
— Bruce Harrell
“When someone tells you to keep going, that’s encouraging. When you tell yourself, ‘Don’t stop,’ that’s powerful, but when God says, ‘Persist until you win,’ your victory then becomes guaranteed.”
— Keith D. Harrell