Persistence is the Key to Achievement - Or Is It?

According to research, we're more likely to carry on when we're losing than when we're winning. We try to recover our losses. Maybe this isn't such a good idea. As a stubborn achievement-oriented individual I have a tendency to be invigorated by a challenge. Failure means keep going, you're only getting stronger. I sometimes, however, become so focused on the destination that I lose track of the journey. 

We become cheerleaders for ourselves (others may do this as well) and get so riled up with "Go, go, go!" that we forget to stop and ask, "Where am I going again?" and "Why is it important?" What if all of those difficulties along the way are yellow flags? Or even red flags? We ignore them because we are passionate about our goal and want to prove to ourselves and others than we can do it. Maybe persistence, in some cases, is ignorance. 

We get goal obsessed and lose track of the bigger picture. So how do we know when persistence is our most important key to success and when it's obsession and useless? Of course the answer to that gets at the real art of decision making and personal achievement, which is tough to cover in a short article. I will, however, share some ideas based on the science of decision-making and perseverance.


#1: Learn From Those Who Came Before: Interview people who have a similar passion and purpose to you. Ask them about persistence: How did you know when something was the beginning versus a dead end?

#2: Take the Fork: The challenges may not be a sign of a dead end, but rather a fork in the road. You may be able to learn from the rocky path you were on and use it take the fork or to forge a new path altogether.

#3: Listen to Intuition: We reason, think analytically, and weigh decisions and future possibilities with a part of a brain called the frontal lobe, and in particular, the prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain is distinct to humans. On the other hand, we inuit with a deeper, primitive part of the brain (the basal ganglia). It's survived through evolution for a reason. Listen to it.

#4: Proceed Slowly: You'll be better able to gather information and make decisions about whether or not to persevere if you proceed slowly at times. Don't go so slow that you get stuck, but don't jump the gun and rush into action when it may not be the best idea.

#5: Put Your Idea on Hold: Putting something on the back burner to simmer can allow you to come to new conclusions and insights. You know how you remember something as soon as you stop trying? It's like that.

#6: Persevere in a Completely New Way: Most great inventions have been the product of persistent efforts. But the great inventors were not trying the same thing over and over. Ask yourself, "What additional resources can I use to do this totally differently?" This is like stopping your hike down a rocky path, changing out of your flip flops and into hiking boots, getting a walking stick, getting a guide or a map, and changing your mindset (from "This is horrible!" to "This is an adventure!"). When you persevere with a purpose, your passion, and a strategic plan, you'll know whether to stick with it or scrap it and find a new direction. Need assistance following through with (or quitting and finding a new direction) an important change in your business or career? Learn our approach to change.