“Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence,” says Colin Powell. But before delving into quotes, let us define persistence. Persistence is the unwavering commitment to achieving a goal despite challenges, setbacks, or difficulties. It’s the relentless pursuit of a vision, the refusal to succumb to obstacles, and the driving force behind many great accomplishments throughout history. The prevailing belief among many of us is that success is attainable solely by those who possess innate talents or have dedicated themselves to studying hard. However, without persistence, even the most exceptional talents or extensive studies can only take us so far.
Persistence is about working smarter and adapting strategies along the way. It encompasses setting clear, achievable goals, developing a roadmap to reach those goals, and maintaining a flexible approach to navigating unforeseen challenges.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither were the most significant achievements. Here are some useful tips to improve your persistence: articulate your vision, work hard, learn the art of persuasion, embrace effective communication, remain open to learning, stay committed to the course, cultivate critical thinking, develop a self-confident attitude, and improve your emotional intelligence (EQ).
Renowned artists and celebrities provide a wonderful example of not taking refusal as a failure but rather as a stepping stone to success. Consider the case of the famous author, J.K. Rowling, known for her fantasy series, Harry Potter. She invested her blood, sweat, and tears into her book. She wrote her first book “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” in the grips of a low-wage life amid numerous personal challenges. She was dealing with challenges in her life and seemed to be finding rejection more often than success. Despite facing rejection more than 10 times, her passion for books and persistence kept her going. Many other famous personalities have faced rejection, teaching us that failure does not define you; it’s how you rise towards success after failure that defines you.
In conclusion, embracing persistence means acknowledging that obstacles are inevitable but not insurmountable, and success is within reach for those who persevere. Allow me to share a quote by Winston Churchill that I deeply agree with, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that count.”
Sri Krishna Priya Murali
11A
