I have been leading a Mastermind Group on Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich with some inner circle friends of mine and just finished the chapter on persistence. I think I have been someone who typically tries hard at whatever I do, but have always looked at persistence as more of a “in the moment” concept.
I have played sports all my life and although I totally appreciate the value of practice and persistence, the bottom line is what happens on game day. You give it all until the final out, the buzzer sounds or the clock shows 00:00. You leave it all on the field of play.
It was many years ago when I first heard of Hill’s book but never had any desire to read it because being “rich” has never been a real goal of mine. But this book is about a lot more than “being rich.” These concepts can really apply to being successful in anything. Hill spent twenty years interviewing and following thousands of successful people to develop this “philosophy of individual achievement.”
I have been very persistent in my efforts to develop my business as a coach, speaker, author and trainer with the John Maxwell Team and as I look back on the challenges I have faced, I understand that persistence has played a big role in overcoming them.
Hill gives us four steps needed to develop persistence:
1. A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment.
Finding your passion and purpose is something that most people never achieve. There are many reasons that contribute to this unfortunate fact but I think what it really comes down to is that most people are not willing to be persistent in chasing their dreams. You have to first identify your dream, then believe that it can be attained before you achieve it.
2. A definite plan, expressed in continuous action.
Once you identify what that purpose is, you need a plant to carry it out. Even if a plan is developed, few people exhibit the persistence needed to follow through. I saw an info-graphic recently that showed that 82% of people quit trying to reach their goal after the first major setback. Sounds like a good time to mix in some persistence!
3. A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends and acquaintances.
One of the biggest reasons we lack persistence is because of the challenges faced along the way. Most of us have some level of fear when it comes to failure. When we attempt to make a significant change in our lives, we receive a lot of negative feedback simply because everyone already identifies us as what we have been doing and by nature, can’t understand how any major change can successfully take place.
4. A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.
If you want to be persistent, seek out others that will encourage you along the way. We are going to become a product of our environment and if all the influence around you is negative, don’t expect to succeed. There are exceptions to this rule, but the path is much easier when you have others helping you along the way.
I now understand that persistence is a long term process. It takes commitment and sacrifice. Discovering my passion and purpose in life has revitalized my life. I know a large part of this has come from my persistence to succeed.
If you have conceived your dream and believe it you can achieve it. Winston Churchill said “Never, never, never give up.” Don’t quit on your dream. Follow Napoleon Hill’s plan in developing persistence and make 2013 the year you achieve greatness!
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Barry Smith www.buildingwhatmatters.com 12/28/12 photo courtesy of Amazon
