The second Essential Trait is: PERSEVERANCE
Perseverance is steady persistence in a course of action or purpose especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles or discouragement.
People with perseverance are those who don’t accept defeat. “No” is not an option. Some examples of perseverance are:
Steven Spielberg wanted to be a director from an early age. But after high school he was rejected by USC Film School three times. He attended Cal-State University Long Beach, but subsequently dropped out and pursued directing without a degree.
Walt Disney was fired from his first job at the Kansas City Star because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas”.
Henry Ford transformed industrial production with the innovation of the assembly line. Before that he founded the Ford Motor Company, he was bankrupt and penniless 5 times from previous failed ventures.
All three hugely successful men in their fields. All three had to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds. What made the difference? They refused to accept defeat and disappointment.
Therefore we should all adopt the exhortation Winston Churchill made at Harrow on October 29, 1941. Harrow was Mr. Churchill’s old school—that he nearly flunked out of. His speech is often misquoted. His actual statement was, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense."
Words to live by indeed.
Tomorrow we’ll look at the 3rd essential trait for success.
