Perseverance

per·se·ver·ance

noun \ˌpər-sə-ˈvir-ən(t)s\

Definition of PERSEVERANCE

: continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition : the action or condition or an instance of persevering : steadfastness 

The lesson I have learned the most over my years of leadership has been that of perseverance.  In my office is a small wooden sign that says "Never Never Never give up"!    Note in the definition that perseverance is to do or achieve something despite the difficulties, failure, or opposition.   I have worked through many difficult times with the simple belief  that good is on the other side.  The key is the action of doing something even if it seems futile.  Moving toward the goal is the thing to note.   You cannot persevere if you stop or give up.   One of the most difficult things for me to work through is discouragement.  I blame myself for the failure or I blame myself for the mistake.  I have learned that to move out of discouragement means that I have to shift my focus and move to being encouraged about something else.  At times, I have even looked at the discouragement, and found a way to be encouraged that I won't make that same mistake again.  I then am encouraged which propels me forward again.   A simple shift from  negative thinking to positive thoughts will  change your day and it can ultimately change your destiny.  I have survived as a woman in business for the past twenty five years by making those shifts sometimes in the toughest days, sometimes an hour at a time.

I admit my shifts have come with mistakes, but failing is movement and each time I have failed I have found how to be better and do things better.  Failure is a "good" thing because it means I moved.  Failing is part of that journey and I have stories to share about my failures.  I can look back and remember the small movement forward and that is a good thing.

Success does not come overnight by any stretch.  Success comes from those who believe in getting to the goal at hand, in continuing to make new goals, and seeking to understand how to move forward.  There is no magic formula, there is the belief that it is possible.  There is the knowing that when the going gets tough, the tough get tougher.

I know we all go through times when we are wondering why we should continue? Is what you do worth it? I believe that  IF you are committed to your path and you KNOW  that you are where you should be doing what you think is the right thing for yourself, then persevering will bring you closer to your ultimate success.

January is a great time to stop and re-assess.  I always begin this process by looking at my goals from the year before and first celebrating what I have accomplished.  The first thing I do after I celebrate those goals accomplished is to analyze goals that were not accomplished.  I start by putting them on a separate piece of paper and then re-evaluate if they are a worthy goal.  If they are, then I begin my new goals for the year with those.  Having a goal means you are moving to attain that goal.  Again, movement is the key word here.   Once I establish my new goals, I type them out on a piece of paper and put them where I can read them daily.  This helps to insure that I stay on track to achieve them.   

Another tip I have found important in my life is to stay motivated.  As a leader of others, I find that it is up to me to do that.  Part of my leadership responsibilities include keeping many others motivated, so if I am not, how can I help others?   Staying motivated helps me to persevere.   There are times where I have to take some time just for me.  I recently took five days and went to Seattle.  I got a hotel, and I enjoyed the city.  I left all of my work behind and just allowed myself time to rest, to read, and to let go of all the clutter in my mind.    It was good for me and it re-energized me.  Do that for yourself and be the better for it.

I challenge you to persevere.  I challenge you to self motivate.  I challenge you to "do" something which propels you forward.  Remember in your quest for success, never, never, never give up.  Hoping you have a wonderful day full of movement forward in your quest for success!