The POWER of Positive Persistence

Persistence and determination are all-powerful.

 by Michael Corthell

Persistence in the face of negative people. We all have to deal with it in our daily lives. Very often the very first thing we have to overcome on the path to achievement is another person's lack of optimism and enthusiasm.

If I had to choose one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being the most likely to bring me success, in any field, I would choose persistence. Persistent determination: the will to endure to the end, getting knocked down ninety-nine times and getting right back up for the hundredth.

"Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan 'Press On' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.''

—Calvin Coolidge

Learn the life of successful people. Successful people are all persistent people. Find one to emulate. Here are your writer's favorites: Anne Frank, Hellen Keller, Ludwig van Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln, Mother Teresa and Stephen Hawking. Study them and while you are reading their bios imagine them giving up. Take their positive persistence away and what would have happened?

Expect a hard way, not an easy path. The reason many people give up early is because they have the wrong expectation. They expected the way to be quick and easy. That's fast food not reality.

''Patience, persistence, and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.'' 

—Napoleon Hill

Never underestimate the amount of time required. Know that most of the time, good things take time. Just as you should not underestimate the difficulty of a journey, you should not underestimate its duration either.

Powerful motivation. To keep up persistent effort, you need a strong motivation. How else can someone keep trying again and again? And such strong motivation comes from your purpose.

Prepare for setbacks and even failure. A safety net is always a good idea, from breaking bad habits to achieving any goal. You may have to 're-set'. Not being able to handle setbacks will soon drain your desire. So plan and prepare yourself and have contingencies.

Find your buddy or buddies. If you have 'partners-in-crime' who share your vision and goals, things can go better for you. Consider a Master Mind Group, but pick the right people to join your group.

Stay healthy and minimize your stress. This last tip is obvious but we always need reminding because generally when we're 'on a mission' we tend to forget our basic needs.'

'Energy and persistence conquer all things.''

—Benjamin Franklin

Finally, persist in being good, and doing good. Be a blessing to all life. Choose to be kind, especially when others are not.

Speak truthfully, especially when others seek to deceive you.

Persist in being generous, respectful, polite, and positive, no matter how the world responds.

And remember that you can be joyful for no particular reason other than the fact that you are alive.

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The Power of Persistent Determination

Motivational speaker Derek Clark delivers a powerful TED Talk speech on never giving up despite the many hardships he had to overcome as a child dropped off at a psychiatric hospital and then thrown into the foster care system for 13 years. Derek shares how he discovered the power of persistent determination and turned struggles into solutions and then into success.

Find out more about motivational speaker Derek Clark at http://www.IWillNeverGiveUp.com