Former President Calvin Coolidge once said: “Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence.”
There are no easy paths to success in life. Whatever our goals and ambitions, there will be problems, set-backs, frustrations along the way. There will be people who will intentionally or inadvertently get in our way.
Those who expect everything to always go well either have not paid attention to the world around them or are choosing to ignore reality. They are setting themselves up for failure because they will be unprepared to deal with problems and setbacks with persistence and determination.
Commitment to your goals and priorities, and the ability to be diligent, to press on, to overcome, will be vital to your success. Jazz Legend Duke Ellington knew a thing or two about success. He had a music career that spanned 47 years, composed 3000 songs, and received 13 Grammy Awards, 2 Presidential Awards, and a Pulitzer Prize. He said, “Life has two rules: Rule #1 Don’t Quit; Rule #2 Remember Rule #1.”
My mother had a framed copy of a quote from Calvin Coolidge, our 35th president hanging in our home. It made a lasting impression on me. Coolidge said:
“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”
Of course, it is hard to be persistent and determined unless you are committed to the endeavor. If something does not matter much to you, why work hard to accomplish it? We have all probably experienced people who over promise and under-deliver. They express interest but are not committed to the outcome. These people are also typically good at making excuses as to why they did not do what they said they would do.
One of my favorite quotes that has inspired and guided me in my life comes from one of my favorite authors, Kenneth Blanchard, Ph.D., who wrote “One Minute Manager”, “The Power of Ethical Management” and several other popular books. It is a powerful statement about the principle of commitment. If you internalize this principle, apply it to your life’s goals, you will find that persistent is a natural by-product of commitment.
“There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient. When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results.”
Are you interested in success, or committed to being a success? If you are committed, then whatever your goals, press on, be persistent!
Kent Shafer 