Can Old-Fashioned Persistence Determine Personal Success?

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Of all the decisions that determine personal success, the "Seventh Decision" in Andy Andrews' The Traveler's Gift is the one that saves me daily. I've learned tons about how to market my online business using the latest marketing systems and strategies, but it's not been a walk in the park. I like to do things "my way," which doesn't always translate into the "best way." Tech stuff can whack me in the back of the head when I least expect it and stop me in my tracks, but only temporarily.... And that's because I know the secret.

I like that Andy Andrews uses the term "persist without exception" for his last decision. Persistence has lots of positive associations like perseverance, determination, diligence, doggedness, and resolution - all very strong words that bring to mind characteristics of leadership, but also the idea of continued action. Courage is expressed in taking action no matter what. Persistence means a willingness to keep going even when it's difficult.

The Seventh Decision is a daily discipline like each of the other Six Decisions. Some of the actions might be easier for one person and harder for another, but what's different about "persisting without exception" is that it's the deal breaker. It's the key that turns the motor on and keeps the whole thing running. You can have all the parts in place, but if you turn off the juice, and remove the key, you stop dead.

I admit that I've been through a long learning curve simply because I often get in my own way. (Don't we all?) Luckily I've learned to focus on what I hope for, instead of what I see, Otherwise I wouldn't be here writing this. It's simply a matter of putting faith before everything else and believing that I'll "get it." I have seen my work habits improve. I am mastering the art of marketing. I am a leader that others want to follow. My website reflects an established, branded business identity.

When I made my decision to become an Internet marketing leader, I stuck with my decision because I have big dreams. That's why I believe that dreams are so important. They motivate me and keep me going when the going gets tough, and that’s what it means to persist without exception. My goals may not happen over night, but they will happen if I don't quit. I believe my dreams are worth my persistence.

You can tell when someone has lost their ability to dream, and you can tell when someone is in hot pursuit of their personal vision. To me, persistence is the result of my decision to arrive at set goals, even when it's sometimes unclear when I will arrive, and even if getting there includes some unpleasant phases of personal growth. God knows the desires of my heart. My desires motivate me to try new things and without them I'd be pretty dull stuff.

Seeing my goals materialize, even in small ways, makes me grateful. Gratitude is what keeps me motivated to strive for even greater goals. It's up to me to stay inspired and to strive in the direction of my goals by masterminding with other entrepreneurs who have similar dreams. No one can "give" me my dream. I must choose to "persist without exception" by reaching inside myself and deciding that what I desire is worth the struggle.