Persistence

Persistence is an extremely important value.  It separates the big winners from the almost winners and losers.

The steps in developing persistence are:

• Desire
• A Plan with Continued Action
• Intolerance for Negativity
• Friendly Alliances
   

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SCRIPT:

The podcast topic is PERSISTANCE.

Persistence is an extremely important value. It separates the big winners from the almost winners and losers. The Winning Edge Concept states that small differences in ability can translate into enormous differences in results. This means the one who fights a little more can receive a windfall in results and profits. Think of how only milliseconds separates Olympic swimmers from first and last.

I recall I story about a man searching for gold. He searched and searched and searched, but found nothing. The gold was only 100 miles in front of him and he had traveled 98 miles, but he got discouraged and quit. With a little more persistence, the money was his.

Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, says that to develop persistence one must have a (1) definiteness of purpose backed by a burning desire, a (2) definite plan with continuous action, (3) intolerance for negativity and negative suggestions, and (4) friendly alliances with those who encourage you.

Let's examine each point.

(1) Purpose backed by Desire

"A long while ago, a great warrior faced a situation which made it necessary for him to make a decision which insured his success on the battlefield. He was about to send his armies against a powerful foe, whose men outnumbered his own. He loaded his soldiers and equipment, then gave the order to burn the ships that had carried them. Addressing his men before the first battle, he said, "You see the boats going up in smoke. That means that we cannot leave those shores alive unless we win! We now have no choice—we win—or we perish! They won." Hill, Napoleon. Think and Grow Rich. Pg. 40.

The story suggest that in order to succeed, one must go all in and not contemplate the what if we lose or fail. Setbacks and discouragement are not enough. There is no retreat.

The power of having a no retreat-like persistence will bend the will of those around you and the institutions you deal with. When everyone knows you will not quit and this becomes your reputation, your confidence will increase and the world's resistance will lessen. If resistance is futile with you, then what is the point in resisting.

(2) A Plan with Continued Action

It is vital that a plan with goals and action steps are continually defined and refined in order to have a clear direction of where you are going.

Brian Tracy used the following example: There is a million dollars waiting for you and it is located in your city. Here is a car, go collect your money.

With those instructions, you may find it in 50 years or never find it. But, what if the instructions were defined and provided step by step directions on where to collect your money? Answer: you would be a millionaire.

In addition to a defined plan, momentum must be upheld through continued action. It takes ten units of energy to start a project and only one unit of energy to keep it going. So, by doing something each day towards your goal, you are maintaining momentum while being much more efficient.

(3) Intolerance for Negativity

Ever since you were a little child you were put in a cage and told "no", "that's not possible" and "you can't." (cite: Dr. Mark Scheinberg.) From endless potential as a new being on this planet, you were persuaded to give up your power.

I recall The Baby Elephant Syndrome. An elephant is the mightiest of all land animals. However, if a baby elephant is tied to a tree with a strong chain every night for a long period of time, it will no longer try to break free. Even when it becomes a 10,000 pound adult, it will not try to break the chain.

Like the elephant, we are conditioned not to break the mental chains imposed upon us. Yet, like the elephant, our power is enormous. Break those chains!!!

All too often, we quit because we fear criticism, rejection, and failure. These fears power doubt, which leads to procrastination and ultimately withdrawal from the endeavor.

What do we do when we receive criticism? What happens if a setback is encountered? How do we deal with that nasty voice in our head that tells us we can't do it?

People that are just negative with no basis in reality should be ignored, and you should avoid them like the plague. All other criticism should be processed objectively and used to improve whatever activity you are doing.

A setback or loss is only a failure if it is perceived as such. Remember, every failure carries the seed of an equivalent advantage. Learn from the setback. Use it to make you better!

Usually, the toughest negative entity is yourself. When you hear that voice of doubt or negativity in your head, observe it. You will begin to notice that it is not you. It is just old programming from your past that thinks it is limited and unworthy. Substitute that negative instruction with positive instructions (also known as affirmations). Say, "I like myself. I am the best. I always succeed. I am unstoppable!!!"

(4) Friendly alliances

There is a saying that goes, "Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are."
The people you surround yourself with have a tremendous influence on who you are, who you want to become, and the state of mind you want to maintain.

To amplify your positive attitude and persistence, surround yourself with others who share these values. Be around people that support you and encourage you to be the best that you can be. Also, seek others that are better than you in certain areas of life, so that they can challenge you and make you better.

Conclusion

Persistence is a powerful value. Cultivate persistence through a burning desire, a clear plan with continued momentum, an intolerance for negativity, and friendly alliances.

Make persistence your reputation. The world will know not to get in your way because you always get what you set your mind to.

Persistence is a numbers game. As you persist, the law of averages works in your favor. Sooner, rather than later, you will strike gold!
 

Audio Field: 

persistence.mp3