SELF-DISCIPLINE AND PERSISTENCE
EPISODE SEVEN
Beware of endeavoring to become a great man in a hurry. One such attempt in 10,000 may succeed. These are fearful odds. -BENJAMIN DISRAELI
Persistence is self-discipline in action. Remember we learned from the previous episode that courage is the strength of mind to carry on in spite of all challenges.
Persistence is pretty different from courage. Persistence is the application of that self-discipline courage. Putting that determination into action.
When you discipline yourself to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not, your self-esteem increases and it will eventually affect your success positively. The opposite of the above statement is also true.
Definition of persistence:
To be persistent means to continue to do something with determination in spite of opposition. Persistence is seen in what you do(action) and not what you say(words).
As you have seen earlier on, whenever you force yourself to persist on a task, whether it is large or small, you feel happier and better about yourself at long round-(that is the reward of persistence).
The author, Brian Tracy in his book "The Power Of Self-Discipline" wrote;'your ability to respond effectively to setbacks-your level of "response-ability" - is the measure of your readiness to succeed". He continued to explain that when you experience a major setback or problem, you will feel temporarily discouraged. But you cannot continue in that disappointment, for that is not the sign of persistence. Rather you have to rise and be on your feet. You need resilience.
Resilient means being strong enough to recover from a bad situation or event.
Developing resilience does not come automatically.
Optimism cannot be left out in a discussion on Success and Persistence.
Being optimistic is having unlimiting confidence in yourself and your ability to ultimately succeed.
Do you remain optimistic when things go wrong?
Do you feel sorry for yourself and becomes vulnerable and you see yourself as a victim?
Do you criticize, blame others, or give excuses?
These questions will help you know whether you are optimistic or not.
Be proactive not reactive. Focus on the solution and not the problem. Look for the good in every situation.
Learn valuable lessons in every problem or difficulty.
"Within every problem or obstacle lays the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or benefit. Your job is to find it."- Napoleon Hill
And also resolve in advance that you will never give up and your success is almost guaranteed. Nothing can stop you but yourself. Discipline yourself to persist on the face of adversity and your self-esteem and self-confidence will increase.
JESUS TELLS THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW
Read Luke 18:1-8
He(Jesus) told them (his disciples) a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
.......the widow kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary'
The import of this parable is the widow's persistence and how she didn't give up. So as a Christian you must be persistent in prayers to God, and don't give up on asking him for your needs. Sometimes the answer may delay but you still need to keep trusting and hoping in him i.e persistent in faith.
The obvious principle of this parable can be applied in all walks of life .
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold.....................Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize........ Phil 3:1
Conclusion:
“I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult. I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.” — Og Mandino
Read Episode 6.
(https://kasukose.blogspot.com/2018/06/episode-six-on-and-courage.html?m=1)
and all previous episodes on kasukose.blogspot.com
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