Developing Persistence - Your Business and Life Depend On It
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Persistence is a state of mind and being such can be developed and strengthen. With this in mind then one needs to know the ingredients for creating persistence.
First is Definiteness of Purpose, a goal. If you don’t know what you want to achieve or have a direction in which to head then there is no need for Persistence. So the first ingredient is a Definite Goal or Definite Major Purpose.
Second is desire, a Burning Desire that consumes you. There is a huge difference between have a desire for money and a Burning Desire for having a million dollars. The first is like want, the second a need something that consumes you and drives you onward.
Third is Self-Reliance, the ability to depend on yourself and the belief in yourself to be able to do accomplish your goal. Seek help when needed, but know when YOU should do the task and when to outsource. Not all outsourcing is good.
Fourth is to have a definite plan. Map out your goal. Start at the end and work backwards to your current position. Set smaller goals to achieve along the way. Achieving these smaller goals will keep you motivated and provide you a sense of achievement along the way. These achievements will fuel your motivation and keep you on track.
Fifth is to seek and acquire accurate knowledge on the goal you’ve set. Make sure the information you find is valid and not some fluff written by someone to make a quick buck.
Sixth is the Cooperation with others. By helping others achieve their task you build friendships and find ways that will benefit you in the process. Don’t do this with the expectation of getting something for yourself in return, do it with the spirit of helping to help a fellow human being.
Seventh is Will Power. Develop and strengthen your will power. Keep the long term goal in mind but focus on the short term goals. Have something EVERY single day that must be done to work toward these short term goals. NEVER let a day go by that you do not do SOMETHING that is a step towards your goal.
Eight is the development of good Habits. All the steps are things that when repeated on a daily basis become habits, and these are good habits to have.
Do You Lack Persistence? Here follows a check list created by Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich. See how you rate:
SYMPTOMS OF LACK OF PERSISTENCE
Here you will find the real enemies which stand between you and noteworthy achievement. Here you will find not only the “symptoms” indicating weakness of PERSISTENCE, but also the deeply seated subconscious causes of this weakness. Study the list carefully, and face yourself squarely IF YOU REALLY WISH TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. These are the weaknesses which must be mastered by all who accumulate riches.
1. Failure to recognize and to clearly define exactly what one wants.
2. Procrastination, with or without cause. (Usually backed up with a formidable array of alibis and excuses).
3. Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.
4. Indecision, the habit of “passing the buck” on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely. (Also backed by alibis).
5. The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems.
6. Self-satisfaction. There is but little remedy for this affliction, and no hope for those who suffer from it.
7. Indifference, usually reflected in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet opposition and fight it.
8. The habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes, and accepting unfavorable circumstances as being unavoidable.
9. WEAKNESS OF DESIRE, due to neglect in the choice of MOTIVES that impel action.
10. Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat. (Based upon one or more of the 6 basic fears).
11. Lack of ORGANIZED PLANS, placed in writing where they may be analyzed.
12. The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself.
13. WISHING instead of WILLING.
14. The habit of compromising with POVERTY instead of aiming at riches. General absence of ambition to be, to do, and to own.
15. Searching for all the shortcuts to riches, trying to GET without GIVING a fair equivalent, usually reflected in the habit of gambling, endeavoring to drive “sharp” bargains.
16. FEAR OF CRITICISM, failure to create plans and to put them into action, because of what other people will think, do, or say. This enemy belongs at the head of the list, because it generally exists in one’s subconscious mind, where its presence is not recognized. (See the Six Basic Fears in a later chapter).
James Darren Davis
First is Definiteness of Purpose, a goal. If you don’t know what you want to achieve or have a direction in which to head then there is no need for Persistence. So the first ingredient is a Definite Goal or Definite Major Purpose.
Second is desire, a Burning Desire that consumes you. There is a huge difference between have a desire for money and a Burning Desire for having a million dollars. The first is like want, the second a need something that consumes you and drives you onward.
Third is Self-Reliance, the ability to depend on yourself and the belief in yourself to be able to do accomplish your goal. Seek help when needed, but know when YOU should do the task and when to outsource. Not all outsourcing is good.
Fourth is to have a definite plan. Map out your goal. Start at the end and work backwards to your current position. Set smaller goals to achieve along the way. Achieving these smaller goals will keep you motivated and provide you a sense of achievement along the way. These achievements will fuel your motivation and keep you on track.
Fifth is to seek and acquire accurate knowledge on the goal you’ve set. Make sure the information you find is valid and not some fluff written by someone to make a quick buck.
Sixth is the Cooperation with others. By helping others achieve their task you build friendships and find ways that will benefit you in the process. Don’t do this with the expectation of getting something for yourself in return, do it with the spirit of helping to help a fellow human being.
Seventh is Will Power. Develop and strengthen your will power. Keep the long term goal in mind but focus on the short term goals. Have something EVERY single day that must be done to work toward these short term goals. NEVER let a day go by that you do not do SOMETHING that is a step towards your goal.
Eight is the development of good Habits. All the steps are things that when repeated on a daily basis become habits, and these are good habits to have.
Do You Lack Persistence? Here follows a check list created by Napoleon Hill in Think and Grow Rich. See how you rate:
SYMPTOMS OF LACK OF PERSISTENCE
Here you will find the real enemies which stand between you and noteworthy achievement. Here you will find not only the “symptoms” indicating weakness of PERSISTENCE, but also the deeply seated subconscious causes of this weakness. Study the list carefully, and face yourself squarely IF YOU REALLY WISH TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND WHAT YOU ARE CAPABLE OF DOING. These are the weaknesses which must be mastered by all who accumulate riches.
1. Failure to recognize and to clearly define exactly what one wants.
2. Procrastination, with or without cause. (Usually backed up with a formidable array of alibis and excuses).
3. Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.
4. Indecision, the habit of “passing the buck” on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely. (Also backed by alibis).
5. The habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems.
6. Self-satisfaction. There is but little remedy for this affliction, and no hope for those who suffer from it.
7. Indifference, usually reflected in one’s readiness to compromise on all occasions, rather than meet opposition and fight it.
8. The habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes, and accepting unfavorable circumstances as being unavoidable.
9. WEAKNESS OF DESIRE, due to neglect in the choice of MOTIVES that impel action.
10. Willingness, even eagerness, to quit at the first sign of defeat. (Based upon one or more of the 6 basic fears).
11. Lack of ORGANIZED PLANS, placed in writing where they may be analyzed.
12. The habit of neglecting to move on ideas, or to grasp opportunity when it presents itself.
13. WISHING instead of WILLING.
14. The habit of compromising with POVERTY instead of aiming at riches. General absence of ambition to be, to do, and to own.
15. Searching for all the shortcuts to riches, trying to GET without GIVING a fair equivalent, usually reflected in the habit of gambling, endeavoring to drive “sharp” bargains.
16. FEAR OF CRITICISM, failure to create plans and to put them into action, because of what other people will think, do, or say. This enemy belongs at the head of the list, because it generally exists in one’s subconscious mind, where its presence is not recognized. (See the Six Basic Fears in a later chapter).
James Darren Davis