I do not have to sell you the value of perseverance, as you most likely understand this changeless principle. In the end, those with masses of stick-to-it infrequently regret the ongoing efforts they put into projects, past-times, relations, problem fixing and so on. “Perseverance pays off in the final analysis” is a given. What we do not frequently consider , however , are the benefits that genuine perseverance brings every step of the way, before it pays off handsomely at the end. This is what I'd like to review here. In brief you do not have to delay until “things pay off” to be fulfilled, so long as your perseverance is real. Here are 3 advantages to enjoy now.
1. Self-Respect. Irrespective of what you are wrestling with – regardless of what – you'll respect yourself more if you keep up the good fight. Each day that you continue efforts to make progress, you know inside yourself you are doing all you are able to. If this is really the case and you are not holding back, your self-respect will climb, even as issues endure. A recent student in our online NLP course mentioned that for seven years he strived emotionally while caring for his old mother. The care taking responsibility was all consuming and, to complicate matters, his ma was ungrateful and even verbally aggressive to him as he worked for her. Now, six months after her passing, he doesn't have any regrets. “I told myself every day that I was doing the honest thing, independently of her. That has been its own reward and I won't ever regret it or look back.”
2. Hope. Since everyone knows that perseverance tends to pay down, it is ideal predecessor for hope. And there is perhaps no better lotion for the soul than the hope for better times to come. This sort of hope makes all of the difference. As the traditional Greek axiom suggests: If it weren't for hope, the heart would break.
3. The Zeal of the Battle. This one might be a stretch, but it's my favorite way of pondering persisting through tough times. In a deeper way, people who valiantly persist through the troublesome challenges of life share something in common with the best folks who have ever live. Many of the great feats of the planet were realized by tired and discouraged folks who simply kept on going. What if Gandhi had given up? In 1947 he was instrumental in freeing India’s 300 million folk and he did it non-violently. If his patience over the years had worn thin, history would tell a different story.
The same principle applies to almost all of the greats in history: The Buddha, Lao Tsu, George Washington, Winston Churchill, Florence Nightengale, Mum Theresa and more. Each of these endured the deepest struggles over many years, silently (and sometimes not so quietly) devoted to their cause. Every one of them made the world a different place for having existed. When we remain committed to our own personal cause, in a way we join these and other great spirits in the keen struggle that commonly defines life and the human condition. It could be a bit sad, but it means something when you think about it.
Without regard for your challenges, begin to take pleasure in meeting them. If you'll make allowance for it, perseverance offers rewards of its own.
Jed Riley is a freelancer who specializes in interpersonal skills and how to improve communication skills.
