Follow Us
Jappreet Sethi
If you wish to take a page out of the lives of new-age leaders like Mark Zuckerberg or Oprah Winfrey or Steve Jobs, then let that be of the persistence that they have shown in their lives to reach where they are.
The achievements of those who have stayed persistent in the personal and professional lives are difficult to be erased easily. Whether it was King Bruce, who, in his solitude in the wilderness, gained inspiration from a little spider persistently weaving a web, to defeat his foes, or Steve Jobs, whose persistence led him to become a world-renowned millionaire and innovator extraordinaire — persistence is a quality that never goes unrewarded.
Here’s what renowned American author Og Mandino had to offer on persistence. “I will persist until I succeed. I will always take another step. If that is of no avail, I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult. I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.”
Persistence at every stage
Whether it is your first job or the job that you have worked long enough to know it like the back of your hand, staying persistent in it is of extreme importance to keep your ambitions alive.
For those just beginning their careers, unexpected roadblocks may sometimes dampen your spirit. Staying patient through such phases is crucial to achieve success. Remember that there are no free lunches in the world, so do your best to not lose your enthusiasm when faced with unexpected issues.
Persistence as a virtue should also be possessed by seasoned professionals, especially those whose career growth chart is moving slower than their expectations. Prepare to amaze yourself with the results that will come your way when you are willing to persist, no matter how hard it gets.
Do what it takes to stay on course, even if it means learning new skills and unlearning old habits. Persistence along with two other important Ps — patience and perseverance create an excellent formula for long-lasting success.
Persistence does not have to come naturally
For a lot of people, being persistent is a core value that is firmly etched, but for many, this needs to be cultivated. This can be done over time and is one of the most distinguishable traits a person can have.
n The whole idea of persisting in your professional and personal life is to get to the place you desire. It is of utmost importance to recognise what is it that you want because then you know what it is that you are persisting for at work. Your persistence will be like blinders on a horse, keeping you right on course to reach that desired end point.
n Look out for what motivates you. Ask yourself what is it that gave you the drive in the first place to achieve the goals and ambitions you have created for yourself. Keep reminding yourself what you can accomplish if you decide to pursue your goals unconditionally with persistence!
n Cultivating persistence comes only with discipline and habit. Maintain a positive mental attitude and rein it in with the discipline it needs to keep yourself from going off the course.
Remember that developing persistence is the key to making yourself and your career more resilient. Be diligent in developing it, and you will surely enjoy the benefits it will reap for your career and for your personal growth.
— The writer is an HR & Strategy consultant and authors www.humanresourcesblog.in
Employers Love Employees who don’t give up
From an employer's point of view, having someone on the team who does not give up even when issues crop up like a Pandora's box has just been opened, can bring oodles of stability to the organisation. Investing time and money in an employee whose primal instinct is to march on even when the going gets tough is worth it.