In a world filled with distractions and setbacks, successful leaders refuse to yield to adversity. They never give up!
But what creates “perseverance” and the “never-give-up” mindset? At the heart of that question is your purpose — your “why” — and here are five ways to find and strengthen your purpose and why.
What is Perseverance
Perseverance is the ability to keep going despite obstacles. It means staying committed to your goals, even when the path is challenging. And at the heart of perseverance is purpose. Your purpose gives you the motivation, drive, and clarity to work through the most difficult challenges and keep going.
Why Perseverance Matters
The resolve to persevere — rooted in a strong purpose — replaces doubt, fear, and faint-heartedness with confidence, hope, and courage. And, because we all face setbacks and challenges, this resolve drives success and is what ultimately leads you to achieve your goals. To others it manifests as resilience, grit, creativity, and leadership.
How to Find your Why and Persevere
To help you improve your grit, determination, and capacity to persevere, let’s specifically focus on finding and magnifying your “purpose and why.” Here are five ways to do just that:
- Start with Your Vision (This is Your Why): Your personal vision is your life compass, your why, and your purpose. So, list your life roles and come up with a written vision statement for each life role. Print this out, include it in your planner, and reference it regularly to feed the flames of your why! Here’s an article that goes deeper into this topic.
- Set Roles and Goals: Your goals are the pathway to achieving your personal vision. They are the “attack plan.” So, set 1-3 SMART goals for each of your life roles that articulate the path to realizing your vision.
- Pre-Week Plan and Take Action: Before the week begins, review your vision and goals. Then list your life roles and identify 1-5 key actions — what matters most — for each life role that week. Then schedule those action items into your week. This is scheduling your priorities first, and it boost productivity by 30-50 percent.
- Reflect: Take time to reflect daily on what matters most. Review your schedule and priorities. Take time for weekly reflection as well. Evaluate what you did well, what you’d like to improve, and what’s most important for the upcoming week. This is a great time to do your pre-week planning for the upcoming week.
- Seek Inspiration: Read books, find mentors, listen to podcasts, and participate in workshops to sharpen your mental and emotional well-being and skillset. And, make sure to surround yourself with supporters and positive influences.
If you want one pace to capture your vision, goals, pre-week plan, and reflect, use a Becoming Your Best Planner.
Key Takeaways
As you develop and keep your personal vision front of mind, set roles and goals, and then take what matters most into your daily and weekly calendar with pre-week planning, you will live a purpose-driven life. You’ll have resolve and grit. Your creative faculties will find ways to make what matters most a reality. You’ll find inside the fire that says “never give up!” “Keep going!” “Let’s try again!” and you will find success. That’s becoming your best!
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.“ – Mary Anne Radmacher
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