Facing the Sunshine and Avoiding the Shadows

PRESERVING SANITY: PERSISTENCE

“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins. Not through strength, but through persistence.” (Unknown)

Persistence is dogged determination, tenacity, perseverance. It is the ability to keep on going no matter what one may be facing or how one feels about the situation. Why is persistence important when dealing with change? When we get overwhelmed by what is happening or paralyzed by being forced out of the comfort zone, it is easy for us to just give in or give up. Neither of those is an option when change is upon us. Neither of those helps us in dealing with what faces us. It is our ability to keep moving forward, to persist, even in the face of adversity that will help us continually move forward.
The power of persistence was never more evident to me than when I first saw Arch Rock in Oceanside on the Oregon Coast. Arch Rock is named for its shape. I would watch as the waves relentlessly pounded at the rock and wondered how something as soft and pliable as water could make a hole in something as hard and unyielding as rock. It dawned on me that it wasn’t the water itself creating the hole, but the persistence of the waves upon the rock. The persistent wash of water upon the once solid rock carved it into a sight to behold. Another ah-ha moment: the force of the waves is in their persistence. If the persistent action of something like water can alter a solid material, just think of what our collective and persistent efforts can achieve!
When we are not excited by a change or are fearful of what the change might bring, it is easy to lose sight of where we are going or to lose motivation for what we are doing. Persistence helps us maintain action and helps us produce results. Steve Pavlina in his blog on self-discipline: persistence offers, “The value of persistence comes not from stubbornly clinging to the past. It comes from a vision of the future that’s so compelling you would give almost anything to make it real.” (Pavlina, 2005/06).
While there may be comfort for us in the past or the old, we can’t get rooted in it. We need to be able to continually move forward despite the difficulties created by the change. Persistence helps us become resolute in doing this; it gives us the resolve to go on; it provides the drive.
What can we do to develop this skill, this strategy?
1. Study successful people. Think of people who persisted despite the odds (e.g., Ghandi, Martin Luther King Jr., Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln). Make a list of what they did to persist in the wake of what they were facing.
2. Have a wish, dream, or goal. What is it we want to see happen or what we hope to accomplish? Write the wish or dream down and if more than one, prioritize them. Remember, wishes with planning become goals. Goals provide us with a purpose. And, goals with persistence become achievements.
3. Have a plan for how the wishes/dreams/goals will be reached. Outline the steps that will be needed to reach the wish/dream/goal.
4. Remain upbeat and positive. Maintaining a positive outlook is crucial in developing persistence. The time, setbacks, and the energy drain can all take a toll and weaken one’s resolve.
5. Stay focused and motivated. Being persistent is not easy and it is not quick. One must be determined, focused, and motivated to keep on task no matter what else is going on. Total commitment to the purpose of the task is needed.
6. Learn to ‘jump hurdles.’ Life would be great if it were all smooth sailing. When developing persistence, expect some rough waters along the way; speed bumps; roadblocks. Have strategies in place to handle the unexpected (hearing no a lot, meeting resistance).
7. Develop a support network. Make sure there is a strong connection with at least one person who can provide encouragement and motivation. Those in this network should be considered ‘accountability’ managers.
READER REFLECTION
1. What is persistence?
2. Why is this strategy an important one when dealing with change/transition?
3. When would it be good to use this strategy?
4. Which of the development suggestions would be most effective for me? Why?
5. Think about family, friends, colleagues. Are there any who exemplify persistence? Create a list of how they are persistent. Are there characteristics on the list I would find helpful in my situation?
6. Am I facing a change where persistence is needed?
7. Am I prepared to be persistent? If yes, in what way(s)? If no, what do I need to do?
8. If I am already a pretty persistent person, are there things I can do to strengthen the skill?
9. Is this a skill I need to develop? If yes, select at least one of the suggestions from the above list on which to focus.
10. How do I see myself using this strategy when dealing with change/transition?
11. Even if not undergoing a change or transition, how can I apply this strategy to my daily life to make it more meaningful, pleasant, and positive?