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How do we stay on task and on the path of achieving our goal.  Our own commitment to the goal is very important but these 5 resources will help us continue – be persistent – on this path.

Support – also known as cooperation of others.  Having others in our circle of influence who know what our goal is and who have similar goals can be a big support to us achieving our goal.   They can spark our imagination and encourage us in times when we are lacking motivation.
Passion – also known as desire.  The strength of our desire – how bad do we want to achieve this goal is often answered by the question Why.  Why do we desire to accomplish this goal.  Our answer to this question will be our reminder when we have a failure or are frustrated by disappointment.
Action – also known as initiative.  Taking the initiative, the first step gets us headed toward results.  The opposite to this is procrastination, but once we start it is easier to stay committed and keep the ball rolling.
Reason – also know as our Why?  when our mission, purpose or goal is fixed in our mind and held there, it saturates our entire subconscious until it influences the actions of our physical body toward the achieving of our goal.
Knowledge – also known as skills.  We may have a goal, but not the skill or knowledge needed to achieve our goal.  As we gain the knowledge, skills and experience, we are able to see the possibilities of achievement.

The success of us staying persistent in achieving our goals is not just about us.  When we include others they can support our efforts as we stay focused on what it is we would like to achieve within reason.

What is your goal?  Are you gathering around you others to cooperate with you, checking in on your desire and reason for this goal every day, taking the initiative to gain the skills and to practice them on a regular basis.  True success in life starts with knowing what we want – but is only gained when we daily are persistent and gain the support of others.

The difference between persistence and perseverance is generally speaking persistence calls for strength and endurance from those things that attack us from within ourselves while perseverance calls for strength and endurance from attacks that come from outside ourselves.  What gets in the way of our persistence?  We will name 4 internal things that get in the way of our reaching our goals that happen to everyone – it is how we deal with it that makes the difference.

The number one hindrance to persistence – FEAR.  Fear of failing, not being smart enough, success and the responsibilities that would bring, disappointing, embarrassment, change.

The number two hindrance to persistence – OVERWHELM.  Too many goals, things to do, requests for our time, projects.  Our focus is spread too thin and procrastination sets in.

The number three hindrance to persistence – CHARACTER (our own).  Lacking in self control, discipline, ficus, enthusiasm, imagination, initiative, cooperation.

The number four hindrance to persistence – PEER PRESSURE.  Others telling us we should relax more, play more, not to work so hard, or that it is not worth the time and effort we are putting into the goal.

Our first step in learning persistent actions is understanding our strongest enemy – what is happening inside ourselves.  Awareness of what makes us give up on a goal is the first step in taking action.  Look for our description on how each of these can affect our reaching our goals.

My first look at persistence was not a positive one.  As a parent I remember persistence only in an annoying way.  I can only remember being asked for something or to do something until I could not stand it anymore.  If you have children now – you know what I am talking about.  Can I…, I want this… it just goes on and on from our kids.  It doesn’t get easier when they get older.  As a young teen they want to go here and there and do things – some of which just do not work for us parents either schedule wise or philosophically.  But with persistence they attempt to wear us down till they get the answer they want.

It is that experience that makes me remind our students over and over again that respect is hearing the answer NO and accepting it for the final answer.  Or if we are practicing assertiveness asking for the reason – but on getting that answer, accepting it as the parents best they can do at that time.  There is a big difference between persistence and nagging.

Persistence however is a great quality that we want to encourage in our children, may I say also in ourselves.  Persistence is continuing to study, asking questions until we understand, practicing and asking for help – not giving up even when our brain is giving us excuses for not continuing.

Balancing persistence with respect for others is a practice for us to have.  For children the respect they show for parents and their right to make decisions is a part of a healthy family.  For those who are married or in a relationship, balancing the needs of our spouse or family with our own persistence for reaching a goal we have is showing respect.  At the same time, respecting the goals of our spouse and allowing them the space to be persistent in their personal goals is part of a healthy relationship.

Persistence will help us reach the end of our life and know that we have applied ourselves to the things that are important to us and not feel as if we caved in to the pressures around us.  Nagging or ignoring the needs of others is simply annoying.