5 Strategies to Develop Persistence
If you find yourself just going through the motions this month with the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other, you’re not alone. For many entrepreneurs, it’s a tough time of year – it’s a time when we (consciously or unconsciously) review our goals, identify whether or not we’ve succeeded at what we intended to accomplish, connect our bank balance with our self-worth/self-esteem, beat ourselves up for ‘missing the mark’ and some days feel like giving up.
I am often asked what my ‘secret’ to success is. It’s not what many of you think or assume. It comes down to one word: Persistence!
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not;
nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not;
unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not;
the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
– Calvin Coolidge
My stick-to-it-iveness is very, very high. This is something that is developed over time. And one of the keys to success when it comes to persisting is having very clearly defined goals. The second step is making a decision to go after it, no matter what.
This is the time of year when you ‘give in’ to the angel or the devil on your shoulder. It doesn’t have to be that way. It’s time to pull out your goals, review them (or, for some of you, to dust them off because you haven’t looked at them in a while – that would be those of you who are trying to make a go of it at your business without a coach! Ouch!??? Yes – no one can do this alone!)
It does take persistence. Let me give you my 5 strategies for developing persistence so that you can #finishstrong this year – and attract ideal clients, make money and enjoy the holiday season.
1. EAT THE BIG FROG FIRST.
Brian Tracey talks about this and it makes perfect sense. It is a habit I developed years ago and it has paid off very well. Procrastination is a poverty habit. Tackle tough stuff first thing in your work day – get it done – get it over with – clear your brain and move on to what will make you money. Then be sure to mark this achievement down on your ‘success cards’ and celebrate the wins.
2. DEVELOP WINNING HABITS.
You want to start your day on the right foot – and by celebrating your discipline and great habits the moment you get out of bed. That IS when success starts – the moment you open your eyes. Get up with a smile. Make your bed. Exercise. Write in your Gratitude Journal. Eat a healthy breakfast. Read your Bible. Starting your day off this way sets you up for success and you will persist at whatever goal you have set. Persistence is a daily habit.
3. AVOID THAT WHICH WILL TAKE YOU DOWN.
I hear a lot of people talking about building willpower and resisting temptations – that all speak to the habit of procrastination. That will take you away from your goals. My approach is to avoid, rather than resist. I avoid anything that will distract me once I have my mind set on accomplishing something. For example, I take great pride in eating healthy meals. So, rather than resist temptation in my kitchen (I do LOVE ice cream, for example) – I avoid having it there. Period. It’s the same when it comes to your work. Avoid that which will take your attention away from your goals.
4. FOCUS ON MASTERY
If there is any secret to my success, it has been to focus on what I do well and work towards mastery level. I get better and better at tasks that help me to attract ideal clients, to charge what I am worth, to get the best speaking engagements, to attract the best team. I persist when it comes to reaching the next level of excellence. This all starts with the little things – with my workouts, with my menu planning, with my commitment to my Gratitude Journal on a daily basis.
5. BE GENTLE WHEN YOU HAVE A SETBACK.
It’s all about progress, not perfection. Developing persistence takes time and it takes commitment. We all have setbacks. No one is perfect. And not everything will happen perfectly in your business either. When you take a hit, get back up and get back in the game. Recognize that this is all part of the human journey and the business adventure. Get up – brush yourself off – and recommit to your goals.
Patience, persistence and perspiration
make an unbeatable combination for success.
– Napoleon Hill
As those two little creatures show up over the next two weeks – YOU take charge and decide whether or not it will be the angel or the devil who gets through to you. You decide what goals you want to achieve, how bad you want that to happen and to what degree you will persist. It’s all possible and it’s in your hands.
Who are you listening to these days – the angel or the devil?
Please share your thoughts on my blog.
