Success Is A Choice Ch 8

Perseverance Defined

• Perseverance is about finishing, not talent or time.
• Talent offers hope, but perseverance guarantees accomplishment.
• Staying power is crucial: "Do you have staying power?" (Noel Coward)
• Success requires perseverance, regardless of talent.
• "Think things through—then follow through" (Eddie Rickenbacker)

Principles of Perseverance

• Determination, not Destiny: True success comes from determination, not waiting for it.

• "The difference between a successful person and others is not lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of determination." (Vince Lombardi)

• Success is a continuous process of shorter races, not one long one.

• "Life is a series of shorter races..." (Author's observation)

• Focus on daily victories: "Success consists of a series of little daily victories." (Laddie F. Hutar)

• "Today we sailed on" (Christopher Columbus) - Focusing on each day.

• "Touchdowns rarely take place in seventy-yard increments. Usually it’s three yards and a cloud of dust." (Rush Limbaugh)

• Perseverance and Rewards: Persistence leads to life's rewards.

• "Did the Wright brothers ever quit?" (sales manager's rhetorical question)

• "Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up" (Thomas Edison)

• Rewards come from completing the last step of the race.

• Adversity Leads to Sweetness: Trials define us; perseverance makes us better.

• "I Don't Regret A Mile" poem: perseverance through recurring obstacles and failures lead to further pursuit.

• Perseverance's Compounding Effect: Consistent effort builds over time.

• "Every successful person finds that great success lies just beyond the point when they’re convinced their idea is not going to work." (Napoleon Hill)

• "Dreams become reality when we keep our commitment to them." (Judy Wardell Halliday).

• Stopping When the Task Is Done: Perseverance isn't quitting when tired; it's quitting when the task is finished.

• "Success is a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don’t quit when you’re tired—you quit when the gorilla is tired." (Robert Strauss)

• Recognizing fatigue is a signal to strengthen resolve and keep going. “In most things success depends on knowing how long it takes to succeed” (Montesquieu)

• Investment in Oneself: Perseverance is an emotional, intellectual, physical, and spiritual investment.

• “In every triumph there is a lot of try.” (Frank Tyger)

Enemies of Perseverance

• Giving Up: Consistent action is key; jumping from task to task is unproductive.

• "Vacillating people seldom succeed." (L. G. Elliott)

• A Wrong Belief That Life Should Be Easy: Set realistic expectations; viewing failures as opportunities is essential.

• "It will be just like marriage, right, Mom" (Incident with author's daughter).

• "Those who are unsuccessful say a relapse is evidence they can't do it." (John C. Norcross)

• A Wrong Belief That Success Is a Destination: Avoid complacency; continuous effort is needed.

• "Complacency is the success disease". (Pat Riley)

• Lack of Resiliency: Bouncing back from setbacks.

• "Resilience reflects individuals who metaphorically resemble a twig with a fresh, green living core...When twisted out of shape, such a twig bends, but it does not break..."(George E. Vaillant)

• “You can’t get much done in life if you only work on the days you feel good.” (Jerry West)

• Lack of Vision: Mental creation precedes physical; keep a larger vision in mind.

• "That’s why we play eighteen holes." (Sam Snead)

Multiplying Perseverance

• Purpose: Finding your purpose/passion energizes perseverance.

• "Persistence is stubbornness with a purpose." (Rich De Voss)

• Importance of purpose; example of John Walsh.

• Eliminate Excuses: Take responsibility for actions.

• "Ninety-nine percent of failures come from people who have the habit of making excuses" (George Washington Carver)

• Example of Rafael Septien.

• Develop Stamina: Stamina complements and fuels perseverance.

• "Champions aren’t made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them—a desire, a dream, a vision." (Muhammad Ali)

This quiz explores the essential principles of perseverance, emphasizing determination as the key to success over mere talent. Participants will learn about the importance of daily victories and continuous effort in achieving long-term goals. Quotes from notable figures highlight the value of staying power and focus in the pursuit of accomplishment.