PERSEVERANCE AND SUCCESS

Two enterp rising young men were methodically preparing a machine for a crucial test. Suddenly, a gust of wind grabbed the fragile apparatus, whirled it into the air, and brought it crashing down. Discouraged, the men stood in silence. Their meticulous hard work lay crumpled in a twisted pile of wood and metal.

The Wright brothers, had many frustrating setbacks in their attempt to construct a heavier-thenair flying machine. They had spent years and a significant amount of money experimenting. Finally, their persistence paid off.

Success in most endeavours depends largely on patient perseverance, be it in mastering a new language or learning a skill, or even developing a relationship. Most things of value are acquired only through sustained effort. One person rightly noted, “We talk about talent, we nod to luck, but so often we ignore the most important things. The hard work and many failures. The arriving early and staying late.”

Diligence is necessary if we want to achieve what we have set out to do. It requires persevering in our efforts. But perseverance has become rare these days. Many people believe that success has more to do with being in the right place at the right time. Some feel that one can have anything, with a minimum of effort and just a little more money. There are stories about overnight successes and whiz-kid entrepreneurs making millions right out of school.

“In a society obsessed with perception, it looks too easy… Looks like something anyone can do, if he just understood the trick, had the ability, or intercepted the bolt of lightning from God,” wrote a columnist.

Perseverance means to hold firmly and steadily to some purpose, state, or undertaking despite obstacles and setbacks. It implies continuing resolutely in the face of adversity, being tenacious, and not giving up. Rather than ‘folding up’ when encountering difficulty, the persevering individual ‘gets up’, ‘keeps on,’ and tries again.

Many are unprepared for failures. Never having the will to persevere, they give up easily. Too many people react to failure in a selfdamaging way by indulging in self-pity, blaming others and becoming bitter.

One must remember that there is a reason to go through any ordeal, some value is to be found in adversity. One learns that failure is not fatal, nor defeat eternal. One gains depth and becomes ready for every kind of toil.

To get going again after a setback is not always easy. Sometimes, we are faced with challenges that may appear to defy all our efforts to overcome them. We may feel overwhelmed, incapable, and may, even, get depressed.

The first step for persevering is to set worthwhile and attainable goals. For our efforts to be successful, one needs clear goals, like a runner focusing one’s mind on crossing the finish line in a race.

It is wise to revaluate our strategies in life from time to time, asking ourselves where we are heading and what adjustments need to be made. It is vital to have clarity on what one wants to accomplish and why. We will be less inclined to give up if we keep a vision of our ultimate destination fixed in our mind.

The next step is to analyse how to go about reaching them. Successful people have a clear understanding of the relationship between cause and effect in their lives. They understand that if they want something, they have to do all the necessary things to get it. It will also make it easier to readjust if we suffer a setback.

When problems occur, we can view them positively as a learning experience. By analysing the situation, discussing where we went wrong, we can correct the mistake or remedy the weakness. Naturally, with each effort, one develops more expertise and skill.

A third essential aspect of perseverance is consistent action. Moderation and consistency, with time, produces significant results. A disciplined approach and choosing a pace that one can realistically keep up, works. Since an organized person makes steady progress, he or she remains motivated and is less likely to quit or knocked out.

Success is not guaranteed by special abilities or talent only. It requires stick-to-itiveness, a determination to give oneself fully.

All of us face setbacks of one kind or another in life. Often, it is health or family issues. Instead of being resigned to defeat, how beneficial it is, to be resolved not to give up! As a popular saying goes, “winners never quit, and quitters never win.”

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Rekha Kumar, The writer is a work-life balance and leadership skills facilitator [email protected]