“All the adversity I’ve had in my life, has strengthened me. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. ” –Walt Disney Success is a journey, and persistence is one of the keys to deal with adversity or any challenge that we face. Basketball legend, Michael Jordan said: “Over and over and over again, I have failed. And that is why I succeeded. I thought they had something I lacked until I learned that winners fight back. It is not that they never lose, do not fall apart or take abuse.
The trick is, simply, every round, when they get hit, winners do not stay down”. We are all running for something. Remember 1 Corinthians 9:24, “… in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize”. Run with the confidence that comes from having an unbreakable faith. I have been very fortunate to be around great athletes. One thing that stands out is the persistence to overcome, to reach a goal, in spite of seemingly impossible obstacles. Persistence is enjoying the journey that lies between where you are now and where you are going.
Don’t wait for tomorrow to enjoy the rewards that you hope for. Instead, enjoy today the person you’re becoming and the talents that you have. It is always too soon to quit. Persistence is going to the place where you failed before to try again. Persistence means not dwelling on what others think. Persistent people take actions and do not make excuses. Persistent people do not doubt and do not play the blame game. Persistence means that you do not do anything for others’ approval. Persistent people have the habit of doing things that failures do not like to do.
Persistent people do not like doing them either, but their dislike is subordinated to the strength of their purpose. If you have allowed yourself to develop a habit of making excuses for doing less than your best, make a commitment to change today. Leonardo da Vinci said: “Without persistence your dreams are an illusion. ” Persistent people face the jungles of life with the heart of a lion. “It is the business of little minds to shrink, but they whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves their conduct, will pursue their principles unto death. ” Persistence means flying high like an eagle in the middle of a storm.
Persistence means continuing to work hard when others have gone home. Persistence is working out early when others are still sleeping because “The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand. ” – Vince Lombardi. Persistence is finishing what you have started. It is starting strong and finishing strong. Persistence is acting with a sense of urgency, knowing that tomorrow is too late. “Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today. ” –Abraham Lincoln.
Persistence is knowing that you will never outgrow your fears unless you face them. So step out in faith and push through the fear. You must learn to fight with all your might, using your gifts and talents to compensate for your weaknesses and, if possible, to convert your weaknesses into strengths. Persistence means that “when you reach the end of your rope, just tie a knot and hold on. ” –Thomas Jefferson. And if you get injured, you make a judgment call: “Can I continue? ” If you can, bite down your pain and make the win all the more worthy, or come back to the battlefield to fight again once you have recovered.
Persistence is the inner flame that propels your soul toward the achievement of your dreams! Persistence kept Walt Disney pursuing his dreams, despite having to declare bankruptcy five times. Although Helen Keller had every reason in the world to feel sorry for herself, she chose not to. Her persistence despite overwhelming odds still gives inspiration to millions of people. The example of Abe Lincoln, however, provides some of my greatest motivation. His setbacks were devastating. He failed in business in 1831. He was defeated for state legislature in 1832. He tried another business in 1833. It failed.
His fiance died in 1835. He had a nervous breakdown in 1836. In 1843, he ran for Congress and was defeated. He tried again in 1848 and was defeated again. He tried running for the Senate in 1855. He lost. The next year he ran for vice president and lost. In 1859, he ran for the Senate again and was defeated again. Finally in 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the sixteenth president of the United States, and you know the rest of the story. Persistence means staying on the path that leads to greatness regardless of the challenges that you may face. Persistence is never giving up, never giving up, never giving up!
