“A relentless pursuit of a worthy objective generates such momentum that it makes you better, opens doors of opportunity, and encourages those around you to grow and join the pursuit.”
— John C Maxwell
Knowing ourselves is foundational to our success as leaders. It takes courage to probe the depths of who we are. We can experience some unsettling moments being introduced to our true selves. Eventually, we will cherish the liberating power of self-discovery.
Adversity Reveals Hidden Potential
When rightly appreciated, adversity will help us to uncover and address the issues that have hindered us from releasing the tremendous potential of our giftedness.
Dieter F. Uchtdorf says, “It is your reaction to adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life story will develop.” In his book “As a Man Thinketh,” James Allen writes, “Circumstance does not make the man; it reveals him to himself.”
Personal development is a lifestyle commitment to ongoing self-improvement and self-discovery. Practicing a relentless focus on pursuing a worthy objective generates momentum over time; it’s lifelong learning at its best. Dr. Myles Munroe says, “For you to succeed, you need A purpose, A plan, passion, People, And you need to be persistent.”
The Power of Persistence
“You can avoid mediocre outcomes by refusing to take the path of least persistence.”
— JSP
Basketball great Michael Jordan says, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”
Success Follows Your Insistence upon Persistence
“Small disciplines repeated with consistency every day lead to great achievements gained slowly over time.”
— John C Maxwell
Persistence is a consistent insistence on achieving your goal. You refuse to stop, allowing nothing to come between you and your objective. When it comes to your career path, whatever you were born to do will not be given to you; you must pursue it. You must persist in reaching for what you were born to be and do.
I recommend reading “The Law of Consistency.”(1) Discovering the power of persistence empowers you to design your future intentionally.
Below, I’ve listed foundational areas I believe our daily practices should rest upon.
Self-Control
Personal-Development
Intentional-Thinking
Moral-Excellence
Serving Others
Consistency will allow you to plan your lifestyle for success. Maya Angelou said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated… It doesn’t matter how talented you are. It doesn’t matter how many opportunities you receive. If you want to grow, consistency is key.”
In Closing, Award-winning author J.K. Rowling notes, “Failure meant a stripping away of the inessential. I stopped pretending to myself that I was anything other than what I was and began to direct all my energy into finishing the only work that mattered to me. Had I really succeeded at anything else, I might never have found the determination to succeed in the one arena I believed I truly belonged.” Insist on persistence!
End Notes
(1) The Law of Consistency, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth – By John C. Maxwell
*** This article was authored by John Picarello, Chief Leadership Officer at Lions Pride Leadership Co.***