The Best Way Out is Always Through - Robert Frost
Perseverance is the act of maintaining a constant drive to achieve our goals and improve our skills and performance through consistent effort. It involves being purposeful and goal-oriented, necessitating long-term commitment and discipline, and is often fueled by passion. Although distinct from motivation and determination, perseverance encompasses aspects of both. As noted in Angela Duckworth s research, succeeding at something requires persevering through discomfort and pushing through obstacles (Duckworth, Kirby, Tsykayama, Berstein, & Ericsson, 2010).
Perseverance is related to our ability to delay gratification, practice self-regulation, and exercise self-control, all of which are necessary to remain committed to longer-term objectives. It entails prioritizing sustainable future rewards over momentary pleasures in the present. Importantly, all forms of learning and mastery necessitate perseverance (Duckworth et al., 2010; Ericsson, 2006). If we did not persist in our efforts to speak, walk, learn a new language or instrument, or overcome limiting beliefs or anxieties, we would remain stagnant.
Angela Duckworth argues that perseverance, combined with passion, is the key to developing grit as a character strength. Passion is defined as a strong, sustained interest that motivates individuals to pursue long-term goals. In her popular book Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance (2016), Duckworth asserts that grit is critical for success in life, and that perseverance is a better predictor of achievement than innate talent. While natural abilities are important, hard work and a willingness to persistently improve are more significant factors in achieving success.
Real-life example: J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, struggled hard while working on her first manuscript. Nevertheless, she persisted and eventually completed it. She was a single mother who struggled to make ends meet and was dependent on welfare. She wrote in every spare minute that she could find in her schedule. When it was finished, her novel was turned down by a number of different agencies. However, she did not give up trying. In the end, she was successful in finding one who agreed to represent her. Soon after that, her agency located a publisher, and soon after that, her books were international best-sellers and have been made into a variety of films that have been quite successful. She has now established herself as one of the wealthiest women in the world.
HOW TO PERSEVERE
