The Nature of Perseverance

Perseverance is more than just putting one foot in front of the other and going on and on and on like the Energizer bunny. That's just a mindless route that really takes you in no particular direction. It's having hope in yourself and your future and knowing that if you keep going despite any obstacles that come your way; you will reach your goal. A personal example of this is my sister and her desire to get a driver's license. If you are thinking so what, most of us get a driver's license with no problem. My sister is what they now call mentally challenged; when we were kids it was called being mentally retarded. Despite her handicap she wanted to have driver's license and to drive. She studied the driver's handbook determined to have her goal fulfilled; she made it her mission in life. I knew in the past when she wanted to learn something she did learn. It just took her a little longer than the average person. So I had hope that she would pass the test and get her license, but I was nervous for her the day she went. My sister got every question correct; then she proceeded to pass her driving portion with no problems. Twenty some odd years later she is still driving when she can borrow my mother's car. If you see some lady actually driving the speed and stopping at each light as she should; it may be my sister. She is a very careful driver and is very observant of all the road rules. A quote from an unknown author says it well "When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."

Perseverance isn't a trait for wimps or slackers. You got to have an inner fire of determination; a strong will to do what needs to be done. It takes commitment to your self and your goals and an unwillingness to quit. Its okay to take a break or a breather in your quest, but it isn't okay to throw up your hands and say "That's it. No more." Perseverance is the ability to last the long haul by breaking it down into short trips. This time I'll use myself as an example: I used to be heavily in debt; those blessed credit cards companies had me in their grasp. I don't remember now how much I owed, but between the car note and all those credit cards I owed much more than I made in a years time. I decided to go debt free. People actually told me that I couldn't do it; it just wasn't possible in today's society to be debt free. I disagreed with them. It took me five years and three part time jobs to get there, but I did it. At first, I had trouble sticking to the plan. I would do well for a while then I would run out of money before I ran out of month and those credit cards were so handy. I finally cut them up and that plugged up that leak. Then I decided to tackle one card at a time. I paid the minimal amount each month for all but one card. On that card I would put every extra dollar I could get my hands on. So five years after I started I was debt free, one card at a time. Perseverance is for those who are patient and determined. Author, Walter Elliott said "Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another." I agree, when I break my goal into bit size chunks I can do anything.

Inventor, Thomas A. Edison said "When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes" Edison was a man who embodied perseverance. He would keep trying to find a solution long after most of us would have given up on the idea and moved to the next plan. We need to emulate this characteristic of Edison if we plan to be someone who perseveres and keeps experimenting until we achieve our goal.

Perseverance is the ability to finish what you started. This takes long term commitment and the ability to believe in your self. This belief in your self has to be strong enough to withstand opposition from your friends, family, co-workers, and strangers. No one should be able to shake your fundamental believe in your self and in your project. This isn't easy to do when life keeps throwing stuff at you making you feel at times that someone up there or out there doesn't want you doing what you are doing. Perseverance is more than putting one foot in front of the other. Scientist, Marie Curie said "Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that this thing must be attained." I want to use my mother as my next personal experience with perseverance. She was the only member of her family to finish high school. Back in her day, it was common for kids to drop out and help out on the family farm. She was different. Despite the hardships she endured and her family's ridicule she finished high school. She believed in herself and her goal of getting an education; so she accomplished what she set out to do.

Perseverance will not protect you from getting discouraged occasionally or protect you from well meaning friends, but it will give you the strength to keep trying. Football coach, Vince Lombardi, said "It's not whether you get knocked down; it's whether you get up." Just know that some time or another you will have a moment of doubt or a time of reflective thinking of "what am I doing and why am I doing it?" That's okay, it's normal. Just don't dwell or wallow in these moments. Just let them go and get back up and back on track to meet your goal what ever it may be.

A fun way to find out your level of perseverance is to take this online quiz by Top Achievement, online publisher of achievement quotes: http://www.topachievement.com/persevere.html