What is the Heart and Soul of True Wealth Creation?…
“Persistence is to the character of man as carbon is to steel.”
-Napoleon Hill
Ever wonder what the difference is between someone who is struggling and someone who has made it rich?
Unless you’re born rich, the question has probably crossed your mind. Most of us have thought about it at one point or another.
The answer, if you ask anyone who has gone from rags to riches or even moderate wealth to optimal success, is persistence. Persistence doesn’t just mean trying the same thing over and over again – I mean really you can only beat your head against the wall so many times before you pass out. Persistence means if at first you don’t succeed yada yada yada. You’re familiar with the phrase no doubt.
However persistence is more than continuing on your path for success. True persistence involved not just following a plan toward success but creating a plan and continuing to create your plan as circumstances and opportunities change and present themselves.
That means for true persistence to be possible you must also have a very strong desire to succeed and the willpower to make it happen. You must also be willing to set aside or conquer any fears and take action. Sitting down and merely hoping something will happen will not make it so. You must have both persistence in spirit and persistence in attitude.
Do You Have Persistence?
We like to think we’re persistent however many of us may lack the persistence we need to achieve our goals. It may be easy to be persistent when it comes to say negotiating that deal on a new car however being persistent to see your goals become a reality may be much more difficult. There are many reasons for this.
-It is of course easy to be persistent if the outcome is going to happen in the near future. However if you think or believe you will have to wait months or even years then persistence wanes.
-Persistence also wanes if you do not have a clear goal. It’s difficult to be persistent if you don’t know what you’re shooting for!
-If you find you’re procrastinating on achieving your goal then your desire to attain the goal may not be strong enough – it’s not the right goal for you.
-Persistence may wane if you’re in the wrong frame of mind – perhaps you’re back in the blaming or complaining mode. Switch gears and remember positive attitudes reap positive rewards. Like attracts like.
-Persistence may wane if you’re not willing to take action. This is typically a result of fear and possibly a lack of self confidence.
-Persistence also falters when you begin shooting for the ground instead of the stars. You begin accepting poverty or even mediocre success instead of believing that anything is possible.
“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in determination.”
-Tommy Lasorda
Developing Persistence
We’re all born with the innate belief that anything is possible however somewhere during the time we’re growing up many of us begin to lose that faith – that strength. There are the rare individuals who seem to let doubt and fear slip off of them like metaphorical oil off a duck’s back. However most of us let it creep in from time to time. We settle because we’ve let false beliefs and doubts enter our conscious.
The good news is that once you’re aware that you control your thoughts and therefore your success is determined solely by you, you can begin to refocus your energies to more productive thoughts and actions – you can begin to develop persistence.
Developing persistence is of course more than just changing how you think. Developing persistence begins with careful planning. You must know what you desire, know your strengths and weaknesses. Know your market and your competition and then you must have the fortitude to create a plan of action.
Persistence can also be forged and reinforced by surrounding yourself with like minded people. Whether you hire a coach, engage your family for support or join or create a master mind group, the people who you surround yourself with play a very important role in helping you to stay focused on your goal. Surround yourself with naysayer and you’ll begin to doubt. Surround yourself with a positive support system and you’ll feel more confident about attaining your goal.
Another way to develop persistence is to practice it. Create smaller goals, goals with a short time frame or perhaps a simpler outcome. They don’t need to be goals which are easily attainable but goals which feel more easily digestible. You can of course break down your large dream goal into smaller portions too.
As you attain each smaller goal you will begin to develop a pattern of success. You’ll begin to develop focus. And you’ll begin to create systems and strategies which work for you. It’s often easier for us to maintain a healthy and positive attitude when our goals don’t seem too lofty or ‘impossible.’ That being said, it’s important to remember that each smaller goal should be taking you closer to your ultimate goal.
For example, if your goal is to make $5 million dollars in 2009 and you attack it by shooting first to make $500K with your next product launch don’t forget to include in your plan how this smaller goal is going to help you attain your larger goal – in short don’t replace your ultimate goal with a smaller one. These are stepping stones not replacements.
As you look to create goals and to develop persistence remember that each new challenge and obstacle is a learning opportunity and a growth opportunity. Changing your perspective will go a long way toward helping you attain your ultimate success.
“Before success comes in any man’s life, he’s sure to meet with much temporary defeat and, perhaps some failures. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and the most logical thing to do is to quit. That’s exactly what the majority of men do.”
-Napoleon Hill
To Your Success!
Jeremy Gislason
SureFireWealth INC
SureFireWealth.com
What do you think about this article? Do you believe this it true or not? Leave your comments below…
You are free to link back to this article from your websites, blogs and social bookmark sites as well as tell others via email or word of mouth.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:20 am
I think I have persistence but I think what I get is not worth the effort that I pour in.
December 14th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Great article. Persistence is important but goal setting and positive thinking is also at the top of the list.
“You are what you think” is so true.
Thanks
December 14th, 2008 at 9:58 am
I’ve never met a wealthy person who hasn’t demonstrated persistence in business endeavors. It is the core ingredient that drives us through tough times, bad situations and failures and moves us in the direction of success.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:12 am
I like the article. I have found this to be true. I would like to extend an invite to the author to join me at the WAHM NETWORK. There are a lot of newbies there that could use the inspiration. We are always looking for expertise to assist others. Join me. You have my information .
All my best
Keep writing the good stuff…..persistence
December 14th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Good article Jeremy,
Many don’t give enough focus to the mental, emotional aspects involved with making any kind of change in their life, particularily when attempting to do something new. Of course we can do pretty much anything we choose to if we give it the proper attention and effort. Just as investing the time and effort into the technical aspects of a business are important, doing the same for dealing with your thoughts and feelings is reqwuired as well.
There are several supporting mental and emotional aspects to persistance, and if even one of these is too far out of alighment with what you want to do, self sabotage can be involved in some form. Your thoughts and beliefs must be supportive of your desire or you may struggle. And if the vision of what you want is not clear enough and strong enough you can wane when it gets challenging. If your self-concept does not support how you must be when successful, your unconscious mind will hold you back.
Those are a few of the factors one must address with themselves in order to clear the way and allow success to come to be, of course with proper attention and effort.
John
December 14th, 2008 at 10:17 am
I can identify with a lot of the things you have written here.The blaming and complaining mode is particularly very common round me and it seems no matter what is said to mke people believe that they can change their lives by their thoughts and actions, they feel more comfortable blaming others for their lives.They therefore subconsciously settle for poverty and pass the bulk to the government, their parents, their bosses but never themselves.
I think it is easier to live poorly than to pay the price of success and since many people are lazy, they cannot give what it takes to attain success.
This post is enriching,I will send a link back to it from my blog.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am
When I started my business online the idea was to acheive an income so I could give up my part-time job just like many other people, to start with I was very persistent and tried many different things but at the same time I was being even more persistent at my part-time job which at the time was 13 hours a week cleaning supermarket shelves. I have learned many aspects of supermarket retailing but I also had a background of being an office clerk which was something I missed since having our family. I was persistent enough that I now am in an administrative position doing 34 hours a week. Being in supermarket retail we have changes going on all the time and because I am persistent and ready to change and learn opportunities come around often but the trick I think is to know what that opportunity looks like. I think we also need to realise that no-one is a failure, because if something didn’t work then I like to think we may have learned something from that.It takes a brave person to start up any kind of business. At first I thought I wanted to have my own business but as I have found out over time it actually made me work harder for the job I wanted to leave. (Maybe on some subconscious level I did this on purpose, I don’t know). I have a goal in mind and I am confident I will acheive it because of my persistence.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Yeah basically it all boils down to never give up on your dreams.
If you fail to plan then you plan to fail.
Merry Xmas All
December 14th, 2008 at 11:08 am
You’re absolutely right. Persistence comes in many forms. Sometimes what works for someone else does not work for you. Persistence is finding what works. Sometimes something new or different is needed, but it is someone else’s responsibility to make it happen. Persistence is helping them do it.
Have fun! Help others succeed!
December 14th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Very well written Article. I totally agree with You. Thanks
December 14th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
reminds me of a great phrase i recently heard: “dreaming is wonderful, goal setting is crucial, but ACTION is supreme”
cheers
Steve Linz
December 14th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
This is a perfect repeat perfect article. Author has left no space where something more can be added Simply – a complete advise for beginners and intermediates is someone is feeling down and broken with their efforts – stand up and start again with full brimming energy. We fall many times, and stand up again and again and again, persistently hoping to bebe able to do it one day. Rightly one said – “Quitters never Win and Winners NEVER QUIT”.
December 14th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
This is great. I sometimes tend to procrastinate and this is on things that I am unsure of. Over the last 10 years, I have reached many goals being persistent. This is one thing that drives me to achieve what ever I set out to do. Many people jump into thing just wanting a quick buck or a quick fix. Well, there is no such a thing. Life is what you make of it and your in charge.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Persistence in and of itself is not the key but, only part of the complete package. For example, if your goal is to become a millionaire, why are you motivated to become a millionaire? If it is purely greed then it is very unlikely that you will have the persistence to achieve this goal. However, if your motivation is what good that you can do with the money-support your family, friends and others in need. Then your goal is altruistic and you can attack this goal with a burning desire and if you have a burning desire to accomplish something then persistence becomes part and parcel of the package.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
Great article!
I am reminded of an old cliche.
Paraphrasing: “The difficult we do immediately – the impossible takes a little longer.”
Unless you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, success can be measured by the effort one is willing to put into a project.
December 14th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
This article is to the point which discribes many.
A plaque above my computer reads:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low, and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you can never tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit,
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.
Success Is Failure Turned Inside Out – I like that
Happy Holidays
December 15th, 2008 at 5:40 am
Absolutely great article. To me these statements ” Creating a plan and continuing to create your plan as circumstances and opportunities change and present themselves. … and Another way to develop persistence is to practice it. ” mean everything to me.
The plan is the same, the circumstances change but your goal is still the same.
Showing persistence and being able to adapt and never give up makes all the difference in the world. To me its the only way live your life- every day.
December 15th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
It seems *persistence*is not a problem for everybody here.Enough to be constantly online /on the net/to prove your persistence without making money as being case with me.To me,persistence comes from my mind and spirit and not to be necessary connected with making money.It is all about your Style of life,inside Being of yourself,personal built personality.I am so willing to do even impossible things/if it would be practicable/,i am optimist,bright spirit which is owned by many others i know in personal.Can you imagine how many positive energy posses these people?
I am throughout *effectuated* person,being went through self improvement,there are all conditions to realize what you are talking about/which is theme and of biggest interest for you/to make money!
But to achieve it, there must be a*connection* with power group of people operate in politics line,it is needed to get a job,or you need to have much money to invest in your business/i don’t have since i am unemployed/
Once again *Persistence* is not necessary cause for being successful!
December 16th, 2008 at 4:22 am
Great article and true.
You could have the greatest product in the world, the greatest service in the world, all the knowledge needed to make you wealthy and financially free. However, what will you do when things DON’T go to plan, or something goes wrong? What happens if you don’t have persistence? Well, to NOT persist, is to give up, admit defeat, it then becomes failure.
You only fail when you throw in the towel. To persistence is the one and only ingredient that’ll take you to success in ANY endevour. Zig Ziglar talks about ‘Priming The Pump’. Too many people give up because there’s no water coming out… and what happens…they go thirsty. If only they’d put in those extra 2 pumps.
Get your goal clear in your mind, know what you want, be specific, take action and NEVER…EVER…EVER…EVER…EVER give in…EVER.
Keep on keeping on even in your darkest times and success WILL be yours.
That I can guarantee.
December 17th, 2008 at 10:04 pm
Good reminder of how to REALLY succeed online.
This sort of advice is invaluable.
Dare I say it is not that next program promising $5000 in 72 hours.
There really is no persistency or consistency in jumping from one prtogram
to the next without sticking it out to see what really works and what does not.
Most successful people have made it by being persistent NOT buy jumping on the next bandwagon after only just getting off the last one!
I learnt this over time and after spending a bit of money to boot.
All the best all you internet marketers
Will