| | Have faith - Be persistent.
A few days ago I talked about the importance of believing in yourself, and your teams. I stressed the importance of confidently taking things to the next level of success. Along with confidence comes persistence. Persistence is a true measure of your belief system. Often times we base our persistence on the responses we get from others. Confidence and persistence are easy when things go our way. It is when those things are challenged that the integrity of our mission becomes evident.
I know you have heard it before, but it's true. Nothing worthwhile comes easy. If you're trying to reach the next highest level of success in any endeavor, there are going to be challenges. Every challenge seems to be graciously welcomed by negative people and those that doubt greater things are possible.
I was recently "blessed" with a lesson in persistence while Holiday shopping for my mother. After spending what seemed like an hour checking the label on every woman's sock in the store searching for the ones that met Mom' s specifications, I heard a young boy near the register line start to complain. As I walked past looking to do a little more shopping the boy's complaining turned to screaming. In my lifetime, I have never witnessed such persistence. That boy screamed for what had to be 20 minutes or more. His mother continually told him that "it wasn't going to work this time" but apparently he did not believe her.
What I found most interesting is that the experience seemed to bring people together. Everyone in the store was, at first trying to ignore the boy. As time went by, smirks and glances were exchanged acknowledging what could no longer be ignored. After ten minutes or so, all the customers I came in contact with began to enjoy the experience. It was unclear who people were rooting for; the mother or her son, but there were obvious signs of audience participation. I was compelled to commend the mother on her persistent belief that her son would stop crying.
At the same time, I could not stop the hope for this kid to never lose that persistence. I thought how hard it is to teach persistence to a child when, as parents, we are often the victims and giving in is so easy. In my imagination, I pictured this young boy twenty years out in a suit calling on "potential purchasers" and could only imagine the levels of success he could reach if he was able to maintain his level of commitment.
Unfortunately, I never found out how the story ended because he walked out screaming with his mom smiling right behind him. I thought, "What a great holiday gift to give a child."
This all too familiar occurrence has stayed with me and this is what I have taken away from it:
1. Be persistent in your belief and faith in the result (not the means)
2. Don't be swayed by negative thinkers
3. If your belief is strong enough, any solution can work
4. No Solution will provide it's greatest result if you don't believe in it
Celebrate persistence in others and focus on the desired result, not the "way to get there." Obstacles and negativity are on the way, be prepared, be honest, and be persistent.
Good Luck
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