"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
The dictionary defines persistence as, "continue in spite of obstacles or objections".
...in spite of obstacles...
From our youth, if we didn't have persistence, we would never learn to talk or walk, or achieve any of the other things we did as we grew up. Admittedly, this persistence was almost "automatic", but it was there nevertheless.
Then when we grow up, persistence is more like hard work, and we tend to back away from it, so to speak. But Mr Coolidge's words cannot be questioned, because without persistence and determination, there is very little possible in life. When we set goals, persistence forms an integral part of the process if we are to achieve our goals.
Unquestionably, there are many, many unsuccessful people with talent. I know a man who has vast talent in a number of fields: singing, painting, dancing, and a lot more. But he does not have persistence or determination. The result is that he has achieved nothing in his life.
The world is a very competitive playing field, and often it is only those with persistence that reach the top. Is persistence hard work? All it means is keeping on keeping on - one step at a time. Think of building a house - no matter how big the structure, it is achieved one brick and a time.
Consider the runners who take part in the South African Comrades Marathon, a road race of 90 km. I am in awe as I watch these people on TV, as they run/walk this awesome distance, and the pain and exhaustion of some of the runners at the end is mind boggling. Some even crawl over the end line - pure determination!
We must never cower to the first obstacle that we encounter, no matter in what endeavor this occurs. If we are to reach our goal, we must develop persistence; without it very little of value can be accomplished.
The eaziGOAL goal setting system covers the concepts of persistence and determination in depth, plus a lot of other effective goal setting techniques.
I have this quote on a plaque, on my desk, and it serves as a daily reminder that without persistence and determination, success will be extremely difficult to reach.
Make it your goal to...
Whenever you feel like throwing in the towel, think of these words, and 'press on', just one step at a time. You will reach your destination with persistence and determination. Make that one extra phone call, write that one extra page, give that hug. Just do that little extra, it will pay off in the end. When things really get tough, take a break, but NEVER GIVE UP!
About the Author
Colin Dunbar's eaziGOAL is the ultimate collection of goal setting tools especially for working moms and dads. "There is no reason we working moms and dads cannot reach our dream." Full details available at http://www.eazigoal.com
FOCUSAs you're building your business, you can choose to win... Read More
Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More
Have you been struggling for years to accomplish some goals... Read More
Formula For SuccessThe winners in this life know the rules... Read More
How do we define success? Webster's dictionary defines success as... Read More
Success starts in your mind. Positive Thinking creates the advantage.Success... Read More
Hi, Jim Rohn here. This month we focus on accelerating... Read More
Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list... Read More
Let me say this to get it out of the... Read More
"The secret of success is to make what you are... Read More
Abundance is intangible, spiritual and attracts energy. To attract this... Read More
In my private practice for the past 13+ years I... Read More
Two Immigrants Live The American DreamSome may call it a... Read More
Do you know that there is a formula for attaining... Read More
Greatness is all around us. From Oprah to Bill Gates... Read More
Often just one self-help principle can increase your power to... Read More
Driven by cultural imperatives and inner promptings, we drive ourselves... Read More
Jobs are heating up. We're all feeling the pinch of... Read More
I remember, about 35 years ago, reading two books by... Read More
Thoughts move faster than the speed of light.Expectations jump faster... Read More
Back in my early marketing days, finding the magic ticket... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
Success is something that happens all by itself once you've... Read More
Do you constantly find yourself saying "I can't afford it"... Read More
If you have read this far, we both know you... Read More
insured cleaning company Highland Park ..We speak every day without fully recognizing the impact our... Read More
Unfortunately we come into contact with negativity everyday. We can't... Read More
Make a game out of reaching your goals Go to... Read More
The best and fastest way to learn how to make... Read More
These days success is a hotly debated subject. Nevertheless, people... Read More
How do you define success?According to the Collins dictionary, success... Read More
Bank account bare? Bedroom barren? Body running on empty? Buddha... Read More
Smile brings beauty to your face, charm to your personality... Read More
Let me say this to get it out of the... Read More
Pain. All of us have felt that emotion some time... Read More
'No man is an island' the saying goes. The implication... Read More
"The secret of success is to make what you are... Read More
J. Paul Getty appeared to be incredibly lucky, but it... Read More
One of the inevitabilities of University life is the examination.... Read More
Do You Know You Have the Power to Harness Huge,... Read More
So many of us want success, but how many of... Read More
I call the following seven belief lies of success, taking... Read More
What is a champion really? Sure, all success oriented people... Read More
Are you getting frustrated because the work you continue to... Read More
Does your life feel less than fulfilling? Are you waiting... Read More
You're considering a new career, new place to live or... Read More
Hope you're having a GREAT Day!Last night I was reading... Read More
You're enjoying a perfectly shallow conversation with a good friend... Read More
Courage is something that is reflected and reciprocated, and is... Read More
I receive several emails every week asking me about how... Read More
Success |