Perseverance: Do you have it?
When ESM chose it (Perseverance: grace under pressure) as one of our core values back in 2008 over so many other words that meant the same/similar thing, it was because this one word packs so much punch.
Perseverance requires a whole lot of other values and beliefs around it to make it real.
If you “Thesaurize” it you’ll find other words such as; determination, purpose, grit, tenacity, resolve, drive, endurance, tirelessness, dedication, stubbornness, persistence, diligence and steadfastness, to name a few.
If you “accessorize” it you might add descriptions such as; following your true passion, practicing patience, showing your spirit, embracing change, keeping the faith, being a life long learner, trying again after failing, reinventing oneself, feeding an insatiable curiosity, believing in Grace and maybe in some cases, fighting for your life. Don’t believe me? Click here for a great story about perseverance and the will to live.
If you don’t think you have the stuff, you may want to rethink your likelihood to…
- Start a business
- Climb a mountain
- Sell your goods or services
- Become a subject matter expert
- Write a book
- Run a successful campaign
- Run a marathon
- Be in a committed relationship
- Support a cause
- Raise a family
- Fight a deadly illness
- Stand-up for your beliefs
- Leave a legacy
Even knowing when to release control (though it may seem like giving-up) requires perseverance. It may sound like a contradiction but it’s true.
The good news is, you don’t have to be an “out on the ledge” risk taker to exercise your perseverance muscle – it can be learned with practice. Which also requires perseverance.
Whether you view any of the above as exciting or scary, aren’t perseverance experiences like these what bring new richness to life?
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Elizabeth (Eli) Mansfield
Principal Coach, Consultant and Trainer
Strengths Finder 2.0: Woo } Activator } Strategic } Ideation } Communication
