The Power Of Perseverance: The Cornerstone Of Success

To achieve success requires a number of personal qualities.

PerseverenceTalent, hard work, dedication, commitment, focus- these are all things that you need to experience the sweet taste of success.

But if there’s one necessary quality that over rides all the rest then without hesitation I would say it’s the power of PERSEVERANCE.

When you think back on all the greatest and most successful people through the generations, it’s their power of perseverance that stands out above everything else.

Success is a long and winding road… filled with obstacles and challenges.

Anyone who thinks differently is dumb, naïve and destined for failure.

None of us are insusceptible to challenges and difficulties that life throws in front of us, but we do possess the power to choose how we deal with it.

So what do you do when you come up against an obstacle or challenge? Do you just quit and move on to something else? Or do you find ways to overcome it so you can continue toward the successful fulfilment of your goal?

Unfortunately, we now live in a society that is continually is search of instant reward and gratification. Our dreams and goals are thrown on the rubbish heap if we don’t get to realize them overnight.

What is important to remember is that the adversities we meet during our lifetime are a necessary part of our growth and development.

Adversity is inevitable so we just have to accept them, deal with them and move on.

Sure, I’ve wanted to give up at times as well, but it’s been at these very times when I’ve decided to hang on in that I’ve achieved most of my successes.

No quote better highlights to power of perseverance to overcome challenges than one by John Quincy Adams:

“Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air.”

Ok, you may now be saying “Yeah Rhod, it’s very easy to preach about the importance of perseverance and to keep going, but what if I’m confronted with constant failure, how can I then continue on undeterred toward my goal.”

Facing up to consistent failure can be extremely tough and totally soul-destroying, but I would like to give you a couple of examples where adversity and failure didn’t destroy but rather inspired people to go on to achieve truly great success.

These examples epitomise the human qualities of perseverance, strength and courage and are a true inspiration to everyone aspiring for success.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

In 1831, Abraham Lincoln failed in a business venture.

In 1832, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for the state

legislature.

In 1833, Lincoln failed once again in another business venture.

In 1835, Lincoln’s fiancee died, shattering him.

In 1836, Lincoln suffered a nervous breakdown.

In 1843, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for the U.S. Congress.

In 1848, Lincoln once again was defeated as a candidate for the

U.S. Congress.

In 1855, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

In 1856, Lincoln was defeated as a candidate for U.S. Vice

President.

In 1859, Lincoln once again was defeated as a candidate for the

U.S. Senate.

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected the 16th President of the

United States of America.

N.B. Lincoln’s timeline of failures, challenges and adversities is something I’ve placed on the wall in my home office, and when I have a tough day I just read this and it just inspires me to keep going.

THOMAS EDISON

Thomas Edison’s quest to invent the light bulb saw him fail more than 10,000 times, but this didn’t deter him. He held steadfast to his vision and demonstrated incredible persistence

He just refused to quit, and instead learned from his failures and continued to move forward. Every failure did not for one minute detract him from his end goal. Rather, it moved him one step closer to his eventual ground breaking invention.

When asked about the number of failures he endured in his quest to invent the light bulb he famously replied:

“I have not failed, I have just identified 10,000 ways that it doesn’t work.”

Above are just two examples, but there is an endless list of other great and hight achievers who found that success inevitably arrives for everyone who perseveres.

If you have a dream or goal to achieve, commit today to seeing it through.

It is easy to give up when you’re confronted with challenges and adversities, but Edison, Lincoln and alike didn’t see it that way. It just led them one step closer to success.

Using another of Edison’s quotes:

“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up,”

A very important lesson can be learned here. Stopping when we fail can be fatal. We must develop the attitude to keep going, because when we do we will eventually reap the the rich rewards of success that we so seek and desire.

It really doesn’t matter how quickly you get there, the most important thing is that you just keep going. Move wholeheartedly toward your goals, dreams and vision. Rest at some points if you must but don’t ever quit.

Remember what the great football coach Vince Lomabardi said: “Winners never quit, and quitters never win”.

So unleash the power of perseverance in your life…it will, without doubt be the cornerstone of your success.