In the face of adversity, the ability to persist distinguishes those who merely dream from those who achieve. Persistence is the cornerstone of enduring success and is vital to effective leadership. As my father, Charlie "Tremendous" Jones, wisely referred to it as STICKABILITY. Here's what he said:
"Stick by it, die by it, never give up. We need to burn the word "stickability" into our hearts. A plague is sweeping the world, reaching epidemic proportions. It's better known as the Quitters Disease.
Everywhere I go, I hear the phrase in many different tones. I QUIT - I QUIT - I QUIT. I expect to be greeted by some overwhelming, happy associate each time I return to the office with a great big -I QUIT. The problem with most people is that they don't realize what the problem is.
I remember how I always wanted to quit. That's why I worked so hard to become successful so that I wouldn't have to go through that agonizing desire to quit all the time. Finally, I became a success, and to my surprise, I wanted to quit anyway. I then learned that humans hit psychological lows two or three times a year and want to quit for no reason at all.
Of course, the real problem was wanting to quit because the more I wanted to quit, the more I was afraid I would quit. I didn't want to quit; I just wanted to quit.
Finally, one day, I discovered the difference between quitting and wanting to quit. I then decided I would never quit, and now I enjoy quitting all the time because I know I'm not going to QUIT. Sometimes, someone will ask, "You mean you can't ever quit?" That's right. You can die, retire, or get fired, but that's it.
Of course, there are exceptions, and you will think of it every time you want to quit, and if you sell out that easily, you'll never get to pay the first price of leadership. I think you'll agree that more is to be gained by stickability than chasing better deals, and most of the time, our attitudes at the time of our quitting set the stage for almost certain failure in whatever we run to. This principle encapsulates the essence of persistence—acknowledging the desire to give up yet choosing to press on regardless."
The Power of Persistence in SPARK
In my book, SPARK: Five Essentials to Ignite the Greatness Within, P stands for Persistence. Persistence is not about avoiding failure but acknowledging it, learning from it, and continuing to move forward. Each setback is a preparation for a comeback, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and wiser. Here's a brief excerpt:
"Walt Disney said, "The difference between winning and losing is most often not quitting." Perseverance is continuing when you don't want to. Let's go back to the Big Five. C stands for Conscientiousness. Those of you who are high "C" are vigilant, focused on the task at hand, tenacious, and freely accept responsibility, even for problems created by your predecessor. You are duty-bound and follow through. When you make a commitment, you make it yours, and you die by it. There is no Plan B when you are still working on Plan A.
I can remember my father telling me, "Tracey, you can want to quit, just don't do it." It's completely natural to want to quit. We are human and we are going to experience highs and lows. Our dreams can turn into nightmares in a split second. Persistence is what gets you up in the morning after you said you were quitting the day before. Persistence is what drives you to the gym before you even think how tired you are, and boom, there you are on the treadmill.
Bum Phillips, Former NFL head coach of the Houston Oilers, has one of my favorite quotes: "The only discipline that lasts is self-discipline." I get calls from people worldwide telling me they wish they could make themselves do something, and I ask them, "Well, why can't you?" I know the answer. They lack self-discipline. If I was there checking in on them or calling them daily, they might do it, which would be a great start.
However, real discipline comes from within. When we rationalize, we tell ourselves rational lies. True discipline begins when we stop making excuses and start making changes."
Persistence in Everyday Life
Persistence is not reserved for biblical figures or historical icons; it is a quality we can all cultivate in our daily lives. Here are some practical ways to develop and maintain persistence:
- Set Clear Goals: Define what you want to achieve and break it down into manageable steps. Clear goals provide direction and motivation.
- Embrace Challenges: View obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow. Each challenge you overcome builds resilience and strengthens your persistence.
- Stay Positive: Maintain a positive mindset, even in the face of adversity. Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and uplift you.
- Learn from Failures: Every failure is a lesson in disguise. Analyze what went wrong, adjust your approach, and try again with newfound wisdom.
- Keep Moving Forward: No matter how slow progress may seem, continue moving forward. As long as you are breathing, there is work on this earth for you to do.
Conclusion
Persistence is a powerful force that can propel us through the most challenging times. Whether you are facing professional setbacks, personal struggles, or spiritual trials, remember that the journey is not over until it is over. As long as you are breathing, there is still work for you. So, stay persistent, keep pushing forward, and never give up. And if you'd like someone to soldier on with you, check out my Persistence Deep Dive course; eight tremendous modules that will help you not only stay, but slay, the course!
Incorporating these elements into your life can ignite the greatness within and inspire others to do the same. Stay tremendous!
