perseverance: noun: persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.

synonyms:

persistence, tenacity, determination, resolve, resolution, resoluteness, staying power, purposefulness, firmness of purpose; patience, endurance, application, diligence, sedulousness, dedication, commitment, doggedness, pertinacity, assiduity, assiduousness, steadfastness, tirelessness, indefatigability, stamina; intransigence, obstinacy

With the beginning of another New Year and ‘New Year’s resolutions’ still fresh in the mind, we thought an article on a on concept relevant to our readers would be appropriate, and the quality of ‘persistence’ and ‘perseverance’ came to mind.

The quality of ‘persistence’ is aptly summed up in this quote by Calvin Coolidge:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

The conventional definition of persistence is: “Refusing to give up or let go; persevering obstinately; firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition.”

Is it any wonder then, that persistence is the fundamental difference between a successful outcome and a failed outcome?