Are you prepared to persevere in your business? Are you prepared to persevere in your life?
According to Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, to persevere means “to persist in a state, enterprise, or undertaking in spite of counterinfluences, opposition, or discouragement.”
Let’s explore these questions together!
The Determination to Persevere
Seriously, have you ever pondered the sheer determination of ants? They’re amazing!
I felt really bad last week, having to call in the bug squad not once but twice to handle a “situation.” It seems a bustling colony of these little fellers had discovered that we, oh joy, serve FOOD in our home.
At first I picked them up one by one and carried them outside to enjoy life elsewhere. (I know… I’m a softie.)
But then, well, it got a little out of hand… They must have been planning this massive invasion for months.
Bottom Line: Only Death Can Dissuade Ants From Fulfilling Their Mission!!!
I don’t know about you, but I’m not quite that determined to persevere in my business.
I am, however, that determined to persevere in leading a purposeful, meaningful life.
What about you?
Are you prepared to do whatever it takes, day after day after day, even when you can’t see immediate results? Or, like the grasshopper in Aesop’s fable, do you hop from one thing to another and shy away from the daily grind? Ouch.
So, besides determination, what else do we need?
The Faith to Persevere
Frankly, I don’t know how business owners handle the ups and downs of business without faith.
Actually, I don’t know how anybody handles the ups and downs of life without faith.
From my perspective and experience as a Christian, we need the daily strengthening of our faith to persevere.
- Faith in God Almighty.
- Faith in Jesus Christ His Son.
- Faith in the Holy Spirit who abides within us and keeps us running the race set before us day after day after day.
We need to remember that God values our deeds, our hard work, and our perseverance (Revelations 2:2).
We need to remember that God blesses those who have persevered (James 5:11).
We need to remember that, in carrying out our divinely inspired missions, we are not alone!
We have within us the Power to Persevere.
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).
The Courage to Persevere
Besides determination, faith, and power, we need courage to persevere.
It takes courage to identify our goals, and realize them despite the obstacles that will come our way.
It takes courage to prepare for success.
It takes courage to take one step then another then another.
It takes courage to get back up on our horse when we’re bucked off time after time.
It takes courage to persevere against all odds.
IF
IF you have determination, faith, and courage to persevere…
IF you have a strong sense of purpose and a burning desire to succeed…
There will be no stopping you!
Ask yourself.
Are you fully prepared to persevere despite:
- rough beginnings
- unfavorable circumstances
- naysayers
- discouragement
Are you?
We’d love to hear what challenges you’re going through or have overcome and how you’re equipping yourself to persevere.
Please leave your comments below!
To your success,
Photo by Flickr (Martin Cathrae)
Eryn McCormick says
Hi Jory! I’m equipping myself to persevere, first by faith, and then with a purposeful plan to implement. And for good measure…I surround myself with good people who love and support me and even participate in my success. #cannotfail! xoxo
Jory Fisher says
Ahhh! Beautiful Eryn. Indeed you are. (You know how much I love reading words like “faith” and “purposeful plan.”) Aren’t we fortunate though that we are surrounded by such wonderful leaders and colleagues!
We love you, support you, and most definitely CELEBRATE your success!!!
I’m touched by your comment. Thank you.
Bevan says
I find Nehemiah to be a really good book in the bible to read. It contains the elements/principles mentioned in your article, and highlights God as the source of Nehemiah’s perseverance in the face of nay Sayers etc.
Jory Fisher says
Thank you, Bevan! Nehemiah and Ezra were incredibly determined/persistent/faithful, weren’t they? And I love how “the joy of the Lord was their strength” (Neh. 8:10) even through tremendous adversity. Great example.
Visit again!
Davida Yemi-Akanle says
Interesting point Jory… Love the bottom line: Bottom Line: Only Death Can Dissuade Ants From Fulfilling Their Mission!!! I’ve always had a fascination with Proverbs 6:1-6. Great post!
Jory Fisher says
Thanks, Davida!!! Gotta admire those little guys even as I’m calling the “bug squad” to remove them from my home!
No doubt about it — many a lesson to learn from Nature!
Sigrid McNab says
Love this post Jory! This one caught my eye – “It takes courage to get back up on our horse when we’re bucked off time after time.” Life and business certainly have had their ups and downs for us, but we have dusted ourselves off and begun again.
Jory Fisher says
Sigrid, I hear ya. And I love how you keep on learning and growing so we can keep on learning and growing with you!
I’m sure you’ve heard this: building your own business is like personal development on steroids.
And we’re doing it! Yay us!
Hugs,
Jory
Linda O'Rourke says
Hi Jory
I don’t have a religious faith but I still manage to get by every day. I have faith in myself, my family and that evolution will keep us all going but I don’t feel the need to worship something that doesn’t exist. Being an atheist hasn’t put any holds on mine or my families life. Like everyone else you get your ups and downs but you simply push through the bad times and rejoice the good times. We learn from the downs to discover what we can do to make more of the ups.
I believe as per your comment “if you have a strong sense of purpose” and a “desire to succeed” that you can overcome any obstacle and achieve your goals.
Linda
Jory Fisher says
Dear Linda,
I so appreciate your willingness to express your views on a site that speaks primarily to Christians. Your perspective is one I don’t hear very often being surrounded as I am by men and women who put their trust and faith in a loving Creator. I hope you will continue to dialogue with us and come back often.
Warmly,
Jory
Jane Babich says
Jory, I truly needed this post today. I know you wrote it in 2013 (I think) but I was drawn to it today.
I need to be more determined when it is for me. I do good when I am committed to do for someone else, but I am not as good when it is something I want to do.
Thanks for your words of wisdom!
Jory Fisher says
That’s true of many of us, Jane. Similarly, I think of times in my life when I wasn’t a very good advocate for myself even though I’m a strong advocate for others. Strange, isn’t it? We need to take ourselves back to the core question…. is this thought/action of God? If so, then NOTHING should hold us back!
Thank you for your candor and vulnerability, Jane. What a beautiful soul you are!