There are lots of great quotes out there on persistence, I simply like to say that there is no power in the universe more powerful than persistence.
Today, with a heat wave outside (and no AC inside), with my allergies acting up (it’s that time of year) and not having had much sleep because of my allergies acting up, I’ve got a whole lot of reasons why I could take a day off from work today.
But I’m not.
Why?
Because I haven’t reached my goals yet, because there is still so much good I can do and happiness to spread, because I know that keeping at it, and doing something everyday to work towards my goals, is the only way to get there.
You can get all inspired and motivated and lunge into work, but that sort of energy generally doesn’t last over the long term.
I’m not saying inspiration and motivation aren’t great tools to use, I’m simply saying that programming yourself into doing a little (or a lot) every day, and being doggedly persistent at doing that little bit every day is a much more effective way to go especially in the long term.
Persistence isn’t so much a habit you can program as it is a state of mind that leads one into wanting to form useful habits. It is that voice that says (to quote Galaxy Quest) “Never give up, Never surrender”.
It is a spark as opposed to the bonfire of “motivation”. To continue this analogy, it is that ember that slowly devours a piece of wood, working at it for days and days and days as opposed the the bonfire which consumes all the fuel within a few hours then burns itself out.
So if you want to reach your goals and build your ideal life, start by developing a mind-set of persistence. Never allowing yourself to give up despite set-backs and road-blocks, but looking for new routes to get you to your goal.
It’s like a stream which when it encounters a block with simply keep going around it or by it’s constant flowing slowly wears down anything blocking it until it can flow through it.
To quote Bruce Lee – “Be Like water” fluid and adaptable, but persistent and constant.
So until the next time – keep laughing – persistently!