“Success is not the absence of failure; it’s the persistence through failure.” – Aisha Tyler
“Being persistent is so boring!” commented one of my kids.
This was when I was explaining the meaning of persistence after reading out the story of “The Grasshopper and the Ant” in the class.
I agree with them. It is boring. And monotonous too.
Yet it’s the one secret that all the achievers share.
It’s doing the same thing again and again and again, day after day, that has made them the experts in their art; leaders in their field.
But if it’s so boring and repetitive, why would someone want to keep at it?
And more importantly, how could anyone stick with their routine knowing fully well it’s this dull?
The Power of Daily Habits in Personal Growth
It’s simple. They have something called discipline in their lives.
Discipline is not what is practiced by the Navy Seals or a soldier or a professional sports person.
It’s a regular habit that becomes the core of their being. And then building on it consistently, bit by bit.
It’s the end of Feb and I’m sure your New Year resolutions have disappeared like the morning fog. Not surprising.
You can get creative with your excuses but the truth is you didn’t persist with that one habit you had decided on to make the New Year resolutions a routine.
Whether reading more or losing weight or eating healthy or being more punctual, whatever the aim, it starts with you taking that first small step.
Persistence Builds Confidence and Mastery
Do you thing James Clear woke up one day as a habit expert? He wrote, rewrote, refined his ideas for years before Atomic Habits became a bestseller.
Virat Kohli didn’t get those runs sitting and scrolling through his Instagram feed. He began with starting to play consistently.
Regularly repeating the action, tens and hundreds of times, have made them masters of their trade.
The list of celebrity achievers can go on. Inspiring and motivating.
Just look around you and you’ll find more such inspiration.
My friend’s father had suffered a stroke. He lost movement in the right side of the body. Not one to let life get an upper hand, he began with small (painful) steps. It was agonising, frustrating and slow. From the first few tottering steps from the bed to the front hall, he’s now able to go for treks and picnics all by himself.
His regular practice, his persistence, that earned him the results he wanted.
Staying Committed When Progress Feels Slow
Yes, it’s a slow journey. The success is invisible in the early stages, making you wonder if you’re doing it all correct.
You may not get the support or encouragement you want. I mean, if they don’t see progress, there’s no point of supporting such futile efforts, is there?
But your heart is set on it. Strategize. Create a tracker to mark your progress. Celebrate the small wins to keep the momentum going.
Be patient and kind to yourself. Being consistent teaches you to be resilient and focused.
Staying consistent and committed is the hardest part of the journey. And that’s why so many drop off after a few days.
Set achievable realistic targets. Adjust your expectations. Treat each milestone as a goal and then push it to the next level or stage. That’s what will keep you motivated and moving.
Setbacks are inevitable. But so is progress. So be ready to get distracted and then coming back on track.
When in doubt, look at your tracker. Remind yourself about your goal and get restarted.
Persistence is by itself powerful but patience makes it possible.
I’ve gone back to the pool after many years. The first lap had me gasping and gulping and inhaling chlorinated water, my muscles screamed, and panic set in when the other end of the pool was not visible through my burning eyes. The only thing my mind was able to process was “Why?”
Had I given in to the monosyllabic discussions going on in my head, I wouldn’t have reached the goal I had set for myself.
It’s all in the mind. Train (and trick) your mind to remain persistent. It’s a growth mindset that’s going to take you in the right direction.
Conclusion
Persistence is all about convincing yourself about your goal and going for it, one step at a time.
It’s not about luck. It’s not about talents. It’s about showing up day after day. It needs your commitment to seek the best results and your determination to achieve it.
Take the most important step by starting the journey. Prepare your mind and body to push their limits. Persistence is not glamourous but it works.
It won’t be easy. Its won’t be fun. But believe me, the results will make it worth your while.