Perseverance - How To Quit Quitting

The Definition Of Perseverance

From a dictionary: "Persisting in or remaining constant to a purpose, idea or task in spite of obstacles." Notice it doesn't start, "Wisely persisting..." Perseverance can clearly be a both a good thing and a bad thing. Remember that when you find yourself wanting to quit something. Quitting might be the wisest choice.

Of course, the problem with the idea that you should quit when something isn't worth the effort, is that it's often used as a rationalization. It comes to mind when the effort is difficult, but really is worthwhile. It's confusing at times, so how do you wisely persevere? There are three important aspects to consider.

Keys To Wise Perseverance

1. Self awareness: Notice when you look for excuses, rather than truth. Are you letting fear or laziness cause you to quit or procrastinate? If honestly watching yourself is difficult, explain your reasoning to a friend. Close friends may be more likely than you to know when you're rationalizing. (Think about it from the other direction and you'll see this can be true.)

2. Costs and benefits: To wisely persevere, you need to see the costs and benefits of what you are doing. If moving to Hollywood to become a star is going to cost you your business or family life, you have to see that clearly before you decide. An honest and good decision requires honest and good information.

3. Motivation: Once you've made a decision, and you're sure you made it for the right reasons, you have to motivate yourself. In fact, perseverance requires that you regularly re-motivate yourself. Write goals down, do daily affirmations, and whatever else you have to do.

Habit is the most powerful secret of success. Practice watching yourself to make self-awareness a habit. Practice analyzing costs and benefits objectively, and practice motivating yourself. By the way, there are many good motivation techniques, so if what you're doing doesn't work - go read up on them and try something else. That's perseverance.

Steve Gillman writes on many topics including brainpower, weight loss, meditation, habits of mind, creative problem solving, generating luck and anything related to self improvement. Learn more and get free e-courses at http://www.SelfImprovementNow.com

---

Are You Good Enough?

Several years ago, I attended a "success" seminar in northern... Read More

Keeping Your Mind Tuned for Success

Absolutely no one can underestimate the power of the mind... Read More

Identify Those Things That Have Prevented You From Being Successful And Learn How To Avoid Them Now

Have you been struggling for years to accomplish some goals... Read More

7 Dynamic Strategies for Creating a Life that Works

Everyone wants a life that works effectively, whether that means... Read More

3 Basic Steps to Success in Anything

Since belief always precedes action, simply changing your beliefs can... Read More

The 5 Categories You Want To Succeed In

If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More

The Only Option is to Succeed

With the end of the year fast approaching, now is... Read More

Falling Up the Stairs

There have been a lot of really good movies made... Read More

Average Sucks!

The very first "motivational speaker" I heard as an adult... Read More

I am my Fathers Daughter-An Optimists Viewpoint

One of the greatest compliments I ever received in my... Read More

Life 101 For the Young and Young at Heart! Book Excerpt

Lesson 1. Category Well Being Plan to do this.Stop blaming... Read More

Consuming Passions Consuming Success

The other day I went shopping at the local consumer... Read More

The 7 Ultimate Laws Of Success

There are certain laws that when obeyed will bring great... Read More

Reading For Success

We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More

Winning: Defining It - Achieving It

If you ask most people whether they would like to... Read More

The Secret to Intense Focus By

One of the common elements you see in almost all... Read More

Success ...Whats the Key Ingredient?

Don't expect results over night - what??If you were to... Read More

Help Yourself To Success

If you help yourself, God and humans will help you... Read More

The Clichés of Success

The problem with writing about success is that almost everything... Read More

Do You Need A Change Of Mind?

Napoleon Hill, the famous inspirational writer, once met a reader... Read More

Dont View Your Failures As Being Final

Do not make the mistake of looking at your failures... Read More

Make The Second Half The Best Half

Something happens when you come to the intersection... Read More

It is a Challenge to Succeed

(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a... Read More

Imagine That

"See, I told you so," she emailed me, "it turned... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Make A Game Out Of It

Make a game out of reaching your goals Go to... Read More

10 Keys to Designing A Personal Lifelong Learning Process

A Lifelong Learning Plan is a conscious, continuous engagement in... Read More

Are You In It - To Win It?

Have you ever heard this? "It isn't whether you win... Read More

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind

"The reason man may become the master of his own... Read More

Evaluating Your Associations (Part One)

If you were to evaluate the major influences in your... Read More

Nice Guys Really Finish First - Really?

How can anyone with the brain of a cockroach make... Read More

Top 10 Miraculous Benefits of Keeping a Personal Journal

In earlier generations it was common to keep a diary... Read More

What Do You Know?

"When I think back on all the crap I learned... Read More

Seven Empowering Success Beliefs

I call the following seven belief lies of success, taking... Read More