Persistence is the eighth of Napoleon Hill's 13 principles to help guide us to a successful life. This week we discuss how persistence is essential to our success.We’d all like to think we can reach our goals or obtain a level of success greater than we have now with little effort. After all, we see overnight success stories in the media all the time, be it an actor, singer or athlete. First, we have never heard of those who "make it", and then BAM! They're everywhere.
Persistence vs. Overnight Success
The reality of how someone achieves success is almost always the opposite of the overnight type. Usually, people work extremely hard at their chosen passion for a long time; it is only the lucky break that brings them to society’s collective attention.Sure, there’s the occasional person who bursts onto the scene easily. In many cases, however, they disappear just as quickly. For example, in music, the groups who have one successful song are called one-hit wonders. Some of these "wonders" put in little effort to get where they were in the first place, so they lack a willingness to put in the effort to stay where they are or move forward after their first win. That’s not a recipe for success.
A Man and His Vacuum
You probably know the Dyson company from its line of popular vacuum cleaners, bladeless fans or hand dryers found in public bathrooms. Up to 1993, vacuum cleaner technology hadn’t changed in decades. James Dyson, however, came up with a concept in 1978 that he thought could revolutionize the industry. He imagined a bagless vacuum with what he labeled “cyclone technology” for lifting and storing dirt and dust.To his credit, he did revolutionize the industry. By early 2019, Dyson had 25% of the vacuum cleaner market. Those of us who remember when his vacuum first appeared in the mid-1990s can attest to it seeming like an invention that came out of nowhere — almost overnight.The true story is much different.Dyson failed at creating the perfect vacuum between 1978 and 1993 — every day — often more than once a day. By the time he nailed his first model, the DC01, he had 5,127 failed prototypes. Most inventors would give up after a handful of disappointments, but something kept him going.In 2011, Dyson told Wired magazine:
“There are countless times an inventor can give up on an idea. By the time I made my 15th prototype, my third child was born. By prototype 2,627, my wife and I were really counting our pennies. When I invented prototype 3,727, my wife was giving art lessons for some extra cash. These were tough times, but each failure brought me closer to solving the problem. It wasn't the final prototype that made the struggle worth it. The process bore the fruit. I just kept at it.”
Success? Well, as of early 2019, the Dyson company has 12,000 employees worldwide, and James Dyson is estimated to be worth about $5 billion.
Practicing Persistence
While most people won't reach the wealth of James Dyson, they also don’t have the persistence that he had. However, if it happened to Dyson, it shows it could happen to you. The key is sticking to your goal. Of course, that is often easier said than done, but below are some ways to help you use persistence to achieve success.
1. Define Your Motivation
Why are you attempting to reach your goal? Fame? Riches? Respect? Motivation is the fuel that keeps you going when it appears your efforts may be in vain. What are you trying to achieve and what’s going to push you to reach your goal? Focusing on the payoff helps keep the motivational energy flowing.
2. Keep A Positive Attitude
In the face of failure, it's hard to keep a positive attitude; however, with each defeat, you learn something new that will guide you to success. Some people fall down only a few times. James Dyson took a nosedive over 5,000 times. The important thing is that you pick yourself back up after a failure and recognize you’re smarter than you were before your misstep. Next time, you give even more effort.
3. Surround Yourself With Support
A loving group of family and friends who will always be by your side to cheer you on, even if they have no idea what you’re doing, will keep you persistent. It’s important to have people around you that will lift you up, especially a group of like-minded entrepreneurs, inventors or dreamers who relate to your struggles.
4. Create Routines
You can’t consistently pour yourself into reaching your goals 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You need time to relax, be with people, and probably meet certain responsibilities like paying your bills and tending to your family. Some people burst out of the gate at 100 miles per hour but quickly fade as life’s other things get in the way. Figure out how to build chasing your dream into your life so that it becomes part of your schedule. You’ll keep a healthy balance that way and probably reach success much sooner.In my life, I have found the most success through persistent effort. Now I show others how to do the same. If you're looking for guidance, I’d be happy to help you. Just send me an email, and I'll be in touch.
To catch up on my series about how Napoleon Hill's 13 principles help you live the life you desire, start here: "Fuel Your Desire and Live Your Dream." If you're interested in reading Hill's 13 principles, you will find them in his book, Think and Grow Rich.