“The person of good and lawful purpose cannot fail. It only needs that he daily renew the fire and energy of his fixed resolve, to consummate his object.” – The Mastery of Destiny
It is the great equalizer for all of those reaching for success.
It overcomes lack of education, money, talent, intelligence, looks and all other seeming advantages. President Calvin Coolidge said nothing could take its place.
“Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
I cannot think of one victory I’ve ever had that I won without persistence. For a while I just thought that I had to work harder and longer than anyone else in order to achieve because nothing has ever come easy for me. Then I really looked around and noticed that everyone else was just like me. Every mentor I’ve ever had and every successful person I’ve ever known has their own story of how persistence was the key to their success.
Here’s what Bob Proctor teaches on one of the Universal Laws called the Law of Gender: “This law decrees that all seeds (ideas are spiritual seeds) have a gestation or incubation period before they manifest. In other words, when you choose a goal or build the image in your mind, a definite period of time must elapse before that image manifests in physical results.”
Coming from a family of six generations of farmers I certainly understand the gestation of a seed. In fact, one of my most favorite inspirational examples about persistence is the story of an Asian Bamboo species that even after five years of watering, weeding and fertilizing is barely visible. Then in a span of about six weeks it grows two and a half feet a day to 90 feet and higher. It grows so fast that you can literally “hear” it growing. The question to ask is did the bamboo grow 90 feet in six weeks or did it grow 90 feet in five years?
Obviously it grew 90 feet in five years, for all the time when growth wasn’t visible it was developing a massive root system that would later support it’s magnificent growth.
Can you see where the current circumstances in your life are developing your massive root system? Can you see where you must continue to “fertilize” and “water” yourself even though maybe you can’t see any visible changes today?
Napoleon Hill thought that persistence was such a key to success that he devoted an entire chapter to it in the classic Think and Grow Rich. He writes, “Persistence is a state of mind, therefore it can be cultivated….Before success comes in any person’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a person, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to QUIT. That is exactly what the majority of people do. More than five hundred of the most successful people this country has ever known, told the author their greatest success came just one step beyond the point at which defeat had overtaken them.”
And that’s worth thinking about.
Excellent article. There is so much truth in it.
Recalling my own LIFE, 49 years, I have learnt so many valuable lessons about LIFE through persistence in sport.
I liked the article….I had great persistence when deciding to follow
holistic wellness in my family,(nearly 30 years ago) when all around were calling me silly names, and now I lecture at a College of Natural Medicine as well as being an holistic therapist. I am also participating in being a leader in the mental health arena and challenging the concept that medical intervention is the only answer.
This is so true, and many young businesses need to understand it, this came to me at the right time to remind me! My business was created to help others, and statements like this from people who have been there is a great motivator for anyone who is following their dream/vision.
Thank-you.
This year I had one of the worst cases of depression I have ever had, my poor family and workmates. I blamed those who I thought were responable and was justified in that. I looked and prayed for answers, but none came, or so I thought. Finally, the tide turned and some things slowly started to happen.
On reflection I have realised (Australian spelling!) that there is not one goal in my life that does not effect or not have a benefit to others. I have always has dreams and visions from a child and just the other day I realised they are all very similar and the same. My depression I now see as a not something pushed upon me or caused by someone else but as pain left unchecked and fear unconquered, an attack from within. Now I can see. Thank-you again.
I love your website! Thank you for reiterating many of the truths I already know, and thank you for the stories I’d never known, such as the Asian bamboo tree. I am so thankful that my path was led to your website and I plan to come here often to drink deeply of the truth and to reinvigorate my Spirit. The messages from within this site are surely to be a blessing to all.
Motivative article.
The Bamboo story is great! It makes sense. One foot in front of the other will get you to the top of the hill. DO NOT GIVE UP! Thanks for sharing.
Excellent article, Asian bamboo story gives a very good insight on Persistence.
Amen on persistence.
Often people stop whent hey failed. They got to realize their failure as a feedback and then keep on going.
Persistence will get where we want to be. It take diligence and hard work to get there. It is worth the pain of hard work for a better living.