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“Perseverance means more than trying.”

A thought by John C. Maxwell from his book, Beyond Talent (p. 134). HarperCollins Leadership. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

We're back to this matter of perseverance.  Somebody must need this.

Keep at it!
John says, “Author Frank Tyger observed, ‘In every triumph, there is a lot of try.’ But perseverance means more than trying. It means more than working hard. Perseverance is an investment. It is a willingness to bind oneself emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually to an idea or task until it has been completed. Perseverance demands a lot, but here’s the good news: everything you give is an investment in yourself.”

He goes on, “A little boy had been promised an ice-cream cone if he was good while accompanying his grandfather on some errands. The longer they were gone, the more difficult the boy was finding it to be good. ‘How much longer will it be?’ the boy asked.

“‘Not too long,’ replied the grandfather. ‘We’ve got just one more stop before we get ice cream.’

“‘I don’t know if I can make it, Grandpa,’ the little boy responded. ‘I can be good. I just can’t be good enough long enough.’

John continues, “When we were kids and we didn’t follow through on a task, people often gave us a break. That’s to be expected. Children tend to jump from one activity to another and to bounce from idea to idea. Adults can’t do that and expect to be successful. Scientist L. G. Elliott advised, ‘Vacillating people seldom succeed. They seldom win the solid respect of their fellows. Successful men and women are very careful in reaching decisions and very persistent and determined in action thereafter.’

“If you desire to be successful and to maximize your talent, you need to be consistent and persistent. Talent without perseverance never comes to full fruition. Opportunities without persistence will be lost. There is a direct correlation between perseverance and potential. If you have a habit of giving up, you need to overcome it to be successful.”

So, will you keep at it, whatever you are wanting to quit doing? Will you remember that perseverance and potential go together?  Will you?

Yes, yes!

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