Malcolm Gladwell in his book, Outliers, highlights the difference in mathematical ability of Asians versus Westerners. He goes to explain with facts as to why the Asians are much better off in Math. And one of the core reasons was because of the higher level of persistence exhibited by Asian students to solve a particular problem. And this very attribute of persistence, he goes on to say, is one of the primary reasons why all successful people achieve more than others. It's dogged persistence!
Now how many people do you personally know who practice the habit of persistence in their day-to-day life? If you are like most people then you would count them off your fingertips. Not many out there. So it's no wonder that only 1% of the population amass 96% of the wealth on the planet. They rightly deserve it, and the rest don't. You might be seeing Bill Gates for what he is today, but have you studied how he got there? Probably not. If you have, then you know how he used to wake up at 0300 in the morning just to sit in front of the university computer, because that's when there is no rush. Have you studied how Richard Branson became who he is today? He used to sleep off at his work desk due to exhaustion, especially during his early days. There is not even one single person at the top who has not put in sheer effort to build what they have built today.
Now why do you think some people just don't seem to back down, and some do? I strongly believe that it has to do with their upbringing. Again, in the book Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell highlights on a strong correlation between a person's upbringing and their achievements in life. If during your childhood your parents have encouraged you to stand up for yourself, stood behind you when you expressed your views boldly and didn't put in you a fear of bowing to Authority, then you are in good stead when you grow up.
In addition, I feel that the people who persist do it because they find it meaningful to them. Take me for example. I love to learn about flying, so I love the Microsoft Flight Simulator. Every time I sit on the simulator, I lose myself totally into it; I forget to have lunch, I forget my chores. I basically forget everything else but the simulator. Because I just love the idea of learning to fly and that is one of my dreams. That's why I persist. I find it meaningful. Now ask yourself, are the things that you are involved in meaningful to you? If not, I will guarantee you that you will not make it. That shouldn't discourage you at all; it should, in fact, encourage you to find a vocation that is meaningful to you so that now you have the right setting to persist till the very end. From whatever angle you look at it, your goal should get you excited and run up positive emotions within you. If it does, then you will stick with it longer and the chances of you reaching your goal is greater.
All said and done, persistence is the name of the game. A wise man rightly said, ‘You don't fail until you quit'. Don't quit, keep going…
God Bless
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