How to Develop Persistence

Are you ready to make 2025 your breakthrough year but unsure where to start?

Let's dive into the habit of persistence. This is important because in my conversations with successful, high-achieving leaders, one of the common themes that arises is the desire to feel like they've "finally made it."

Here's the truth: Persistence is the fuel that's going to get you there. It’s what keeps you moving forward when motivation fades and obstacles arise, ensuring you stay on track toward your goals.

What exactly is persistence? I have two favorite sources for understanding persistence. 

The first is Napoleon Hill's book, Think and Grow Rich, one of the best-selling personal achievement books of all time and the largest empirical study of highly effective people that I am aware of. He researched 500 of the world's most successful people. He identified thirteen common themes in their lives, one of which is persistence. He defines persistence as "sustained effort."  In practical terms, this means continuously showing up and taking action toward your goals, even when progress feels slow or obstacles seem insurmountable.

The second source I admire is Angela Duckworth's book, Grit, the Power of Passion and Perseverance. Duckworth, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania and 2013 MacArthur Fellow, researched what makes successful people successful.  She concluded that what drives accomplishment is not innate talent but rather a unique combination of passion and long-term perseverance.

Let's look at a concrete example of the power of persistence.

Last week's Wall Street Journal featured an article that jumped out at me: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Changed Everything by Neil Shah. The Eras Tour, Shah explained, turned Swift into "a cultural phenomenon on par with Michael Jackson in the 1980s and the Beatles in the 1960s." (1)

"The global, stadium-sized odyssey has fueled the most inescapable, all-consuming music mania of the 21st century. On Dec. 8, after five continents, roughly 10 million tickets and revenue that could be around $2 billion"(1), the tour finally came to a close with its final performance.

Is Taylor Swift talented? Of course she is!  But beyond her talent, she’s known for her relentless work ethic — writing hundreds of songs, rehearsing for countless hours, and continuously refining her performances. Her ability to persist through creative challenges and demanding tour schedules has played a crucial role in her unprecedented success.

According to Pollstar, the Eras Tour included 149 shows across 51 stadiums on five continents over 21 months (2). Clearly, Taylor Swift excells at persistence. That's the power of passion and perseverance.

To achieve your 2025 goals, you’ll need to bring the same spirit of stamina and determination that Taylor Swift brought to the Eras Tour. Commit today to showing up consistently, pushing through challenges, and keeping your vision alive—just like she did. It will require passion, perseverance, and consistency.

As Jim Rohn once said about being successful, "Get up, dress up, show up."

How do you develop the habit of persistence? Here are the four steps recommended by Napoleon Hill:

Step 1. Be clear about what you want to achieve.

Step 2. Have a plan and take consistent action.

Step 3. Close your mind to all negativity and negative influences.

Step 4: Ally yourself with one or more individuals who will encourage you to follow through.

As Napoleon Hill explained, “With persistence, you will win”. Persistence is the name of the game and is an absolutely essential quality for success. 

Remember, every small step counts, and each challenge you overcome brings you closer to success. Stay committed, believe in your potential, and keep pushing forward—your breakthrough moment is waiting.

Let's talk about making 2025 your breakthrough year! Schedule a Complimentary Strategy Consultation with me.

(1) The Wall Street Journal: Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Changed Everything by Neil Shah (December 4, 2024). Accessed on December 15, 2024 at https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/music/taylor-swift-eras-tour-ending-impact-whats-next-9b1ec348?mod=Searchresults_pos3&page=1.

(2) Pollstar, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Smashes All-Time Touring Record, Surpasses $2 Billion (December 9, 2024). Accessed on December 15, 2024 at https://news.pollstar.com/2024/12/09/taylor-swifts-eras-tour-sets-all-time-touring-record-breaking-2b/