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Persistence

PERSISTENCE

A key factor in any endeavor is to pursue it like there is no tomorrow. Sounds simplistic? Common sense? Well—it is. It is as simple as that. I have often said, and met, many people in this world with a lot of talent who can really talk a good talk. But I don’t see their bylines, their terrific companies, their great products, or read the great American novel that they want to publish. Why? Either they have no time, can’t create time, or have some other excuse. I know all their excuses and reasons because I have personally used almost every single excuse in the book about why I was not following my dream. I paid lip service to my dream saying that I would do it all someday.

If I was going to make my dream come true, I had to do, not say.

I began to print sayings on action and hung them on my wall. Post-it notes with “Do, do do” began to cover parts of my worktable.

It is easy to be persistent when all is going well. When the sun is shining outside your window and when your boss says he loves your work, or a friend calls to announce a new baby/promotion/etc. The key really is to be persistence when life seems to be going in the wrong direction and there seems to be nothing you can do.

I was on a plane recently and happened to glance at the SkyMall magazine. I saw the Destiny Tiles they are selling: “Watch your thoughts they become words; Watch your words they become actions; Watch your actions they become habits; Watch your habits they become character; watch your character it becomes your destiny.”

It made me realize that persistence needs to be a character trait. But let me define persistence: it is not about following up on things, it is about following through. Persistence is about owning your intentions and not letting any outside force or the stronger inside force move you away from what you need to accomplish.

Keep going. It is the only way forward.