7 Benefits of Persistence: How to Cultivate a Winning Mindset
Whatever goal you have - achieving it requires commitment, determination, and a winning mindset.
These qualities can be developed through persistence, which is the ability to keep going despite obstacles or setbacks.
In a world full of challenges and uncertainties, persistence acts as a guiding light, empowering us to overcome obstacles and achieve our highest potential.
In this article, we'll delve into the remarkable benefits of persistence, including improved resilience, increased confidence, greater creativity and innovation, stronger relationships, and improved mental health.
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First things first, what do I actually mean by „persistence“?
The internet says it is the act of continuing to pursue a goal or dream in spite of obstacles and setbacks. It involves a willingness to keep trying, even when things get tough.
For me, it is even more. Persistence is not about stubbornly holding on to a plan or refusing to change course when necessary. Rather, it's about having the courage to be authentic, whatever that means for you in the challenge you are in.
And it involves resilience - to keep moving forward even when you don’t feel like it, or you have experienced a setback that makes you doubt your whole project.
Importance of Persistence in Cultivating a Winning Mindset
If you are on the journey of changing your Mindset and want to cultivate a winning attitude, you may, like myself, at some point fin out that its not just about „positive thinking“.
Before studying Bob Proctor’s material, I willingly admit that I have not wasted too much thought on persistence. Rather, I thought for achieving goals I need to develop discipline, work hard and just be lucky.
But what is actually necessary is a strength, an unwavering commitment to your goals and dreams. This is where persistence comes in. Without persistence, it's easy to give up when faced with challenges or setbacks.
Close friends doubting your success?
Your family may be against the project in general, worrying about you taking risks too high?
Your first investment turns out to be a failure?
This easily can stop you from going on if you have not developed some persistence.
However, with it, you can develop the resilience and determination needed to overcome any obstacle and achieve success.
Basic Principles of Persistence
// The Power of Belief
One of the most important principles of persistence is the power of belief.
Your beliefs shape your thoughts, actions, and ultimately, your results. If you believe you can achieve your goals, you will be more likely to persist in facing challenges.
Bob always said, „ If you can hold it in your mind, you can hold it in your hands“.
On the other hand, if you have limiting beliefs that hold you back, it will be much harder to maintain persistence. Whatever we focus on expands - this is a gentle reminder to myself, as well as all of you, to reflect on our thoughts frequently and see what limiting beliefs are coming to the surface.
We have been programmed with so many paradigms - deconditioning ourselves is not a quick process, but a very rewarding one.
The more we become aware of our limiting beliefs and understand that they might not even be our own, the more we can let go of outdated limits we have set for ourselves, and the more we will thrive - being authentic, confident, and more of who we truly are.
This, to me, is the real definition of success.
// The Importance of Goal Setting
Goal setting is another key principle of persistence. When you set clear, achievable goals, you give your mind something to work towards.
Imagine you deicing to go on a road trip. If you are not sure if you want to go to Paris or to Rome - what turn would you take at the next corner? Would you head south or north? Take your bikini with you or maybe your ballerinas?
Getting as clear as possible on your goal helps you see the next steps you need to take, and stay motivated and focused, even when things get tough. Additionally, setting goals allows you to measure your progress and celebrate your successes along the way.
// Overcoming Obstacles
Obstacles are a natural part of any journey.
If you are like me, you might be convinced at the start of your new journey that you will handle all obstacles with grace….until you actually meet the first. However, with persistence, you can learn to overcome them. Instead of giving up when faced with a challenge, you can learn to see it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
„God’s rejection is your protection „ is a quote that runs through my head quite frequently. And has helped me many times to let go of the plan I had about how everything will turn out, instead I learnt to let go and let god - trust in the universe and stay as curious as I can about what will happen next.
If you run into your next challenge, identify what's holding you back and come up with a plan to overcome it. Take it as an invitation to do some shadow work, and let go of some old shit that is no longer serving you. It takes a lot of strength to - but oh, are you growing from it!
// Embracing Failure
This is about not letting your excuses hold you back from going on. Although so commonly feared, failure is an essential part of the learning process.
Imagine starting a YouTube channel because you want to share your wisdom with the world. Nobody watches the first videos, but also not the next ones…even after a few months you haven’t reached more than a few people. Would you feel like a failure? Or could you train yourself to embrace this as a vital step to your growth?
With persistence, you can turn failure into success.
Benefits of Persistence
// Improved Resilience: Bouncing Back and Thriving
Persistence fuels resilience by teaching us to embrace setbacks as stepping stones toward success. When we face obstacles, persistence allows us to dust ourselves off and keep moving forward, even in the face of adversity.
By developing a resilient mindset, we learn to view challenges as opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Let’s take a common example:
You want to loose some weight in preparation of the vacation, but although you really feel unwell with this extra few kilos, you are not able to change your behaviour accordingly and therefore: you not only NOT loosing weight, maybe you even gain some?!
This is a perfect point to emphasise the importance of persistence.
Without resilience and your strong commitment to go on regardless, this would be the point where you give up and form a belief like „ I just am that way“, „ there is no point in trying again, I already know I won’t make it past the first few days“.
But, as we cultivate persistence, we become more adept at bouncing back, thriving in the face of adversity, and achieving remarkable feats we once deemed impossible.
// Increased Confidence: Unleashing Your Inner Strength
Persistence breeds confidence by showcasing our inner strength and capability.
As we persistently work toward our goals, we prove to ourselves that we have the power to overcome obstacles and achieve what we desire. With each step forward, our confidence grows, enabling us to take on new challenges and embrace personal growth.
Yeah, congrats!
Confidence is SUCH an important part of being able to pursue our dreams.
Think of this: will you even try, if there is zero confidence in achieving your goal? If you are not confident in your ability to walk from here to there, would you stand up from your coach trying?
This might be a bit of a drastic example…but for me, it really stuck in my mind. Of course I wouldn’t have tried. So confidence is not about good looks or being able to talk to others with a confident smile, it is much more basic. It really is about even starting!
By embracing persistence, we unlock a wellspring of confidence that empowers us to face life's challenges with unwavering self-assurance.
// Greater Creativity and Innovation: Unleashing Your Inner Visionary
Persistence fuels creativity and innovation by encouraging us to think outside the box and explore new possibilities.
Which, in my opinion, is oh so necessary in our world. We have been programmed to live from the outside in, to observe what happens around us and then draw our conclusions from that. When our partner is angry, we are upset; when our boss is not acknowledging our work, we feel frustrated, and so on.
Yes, this might be uncomfortable and yes, its a good explanation for our feelings. But this mindest is also making us victims of the outer world.
Instead of taking responsibility for our own thoughts, feelings and actions - which, in turn, will make us creators. Empowers and strengthens us.
For me, meditation is the practice to get connected with this creative source, with my higher self. Getting in touch with the universe itself - eventhough it might feel easier to stay in the old behavioral patterns. Connecting to everything through meditation is always the better option. I am writing this to encourage you, but also to remind myself to go inward when facing a challenge..not look outside for the cause..