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If at First You Don't Succeed...Here's what I like about doctors' waiting rooms: those piles of old magazines you never
would look at otherwise. Flipping through an old issue of Time last week, I got to read the cover story about success and what's behind it. Seems there are some recent studies that identify the primary characteristic of successful individuals, no matter what their field: persistence. Persistence. This provided me with much food for thought. I have written before, in
depth, about the quality of resilience and its importance in leading a balanced and productive life. I hadn't really examined the distinction between resilience and persistence, though. While resilience is what enables people to bounce back from adversity, persistence is what makes them go the next step - not just picking yourself up and dusting yourself off, but starting all over again. Persistence, in this context, doesn't mean mindlessly banging your head against an
impenetrable wall. What we're talking about is the ability to hold firmly to a goal, an idea, or a set of values, despite setbacks or challenges. The persistent person analyzes the challenge, seeks to understand what caused the setback, and looks for a new way in or around. He perseveres in difficult circumstances, keeps his eye on the ball, holds fast to his
vision of what could be. He endures through the bad times as well as the good. He's consistent in his focus, if adaptable in his approach. He's convinced not only of the rightness of his cause, but also of his own ability to reach his goals. Fundamentally, he's an optimist. Persistent people will do whatever it takes, practice as much as they can, play whenever and wherever there's a game. Quitting isn't an option for them. Patient is how
some others may see them; stubborn is another point of view. Persistence, just like all the other virtues, holds within it the capacity for its own undoing: stubbornness implies an unwillingness or inability to hear constructive criticism. Persistence in a leader can inspire others to achieve things they never thought possible. The persistent leader can provide a steadying hand in uncertain or turbulent
times, and can help an organization to stay focused on its goals. She can provide a sense of continuity in a period of rapid change or upheaval, and she can maintain momentum in the workforce. Persistent leaders are the ones who bring about fundamental change by walking their path one step at a time. I'm thinking of Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela, but there are many others at work all around us, all the time. They are the
leaders who never lose faith in themselves or in all people, who believe that anything is possible, and who always act as though nothing can stop them. They really do lead by their own example. Is persistence a trait that can be learned, or is it innate? Is it nature, or nurture? Probably a little of both, but there's no question you can build your capacity to persist and succeed. Focus, clarity, and commitment are all qualities that can be developed
through patient practice over time. They are the building blocks of persistence. You can work to develop these qualities in yourself and your team, but you don't have to do it all on your own. Let's talk about how coaching can support you. Call (410)626-6008, or email info@bloomfieldassociates.com. 
What keeps you focused on your goals, and what knocks you off course?
This month, take some quiet time for reflection and think back to a time when you enjoyed great success at something important to you. What motivated you to persist even when things weren't going so well? How did you respond to the doubts (your own and others') about whether you could really do it? Who did you look to for support and encouragement? Now, remember a time when you just gave up on reaching a goal, or came
very close to giving up. What was different about that experience? What story did you tell yourself about the experience? From today's vantage point, what would you do differently in that situation? |
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A new study found that 87% percent of businesses will be conducting some type of
holiday celebration this year, down from 95% last year. Meanwhile, another study found that 14% of companies have discontinued their holiday bonus programs. About one in four workers average 3.5 hours a week reading online blogs that are not work-related and employees this year will waste the equivalent of 551,000 years reading blogs that have nothing to do with their jobs. Research shows that working extra hours may increase the risk of occupational injuries
and illnesses, regardless of job type. In a study, people whose occupations required frequent overtime were 61% more likely to become injured or sick. 
Informed intuition Just a fancy way of saying "hunch." Some observers credit the popularity of the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell with reviving the concept of intuition as a valuable ingredient in business decisionmaking. 
 Everything is Waiting for You, by David Whyte. What I like about it: I was lucky to attend a conference last month where the author and poet was the featured speaker, and his spell-binding talk about commitment to self,
relationship, and work drew me again to his poetry. This book is one I had not yet read, and it is a delight.
Beth Bloomfield
Executive Coach, Strategy Consultant
Principal, Bloomfield Associates Share what you're into - books, articles, movies, music, websites - with others on the list! Send us the title and author or other pertinent information, along with a sentence or two on what you like about it, and if we use it in A Different Optic we'll not only quote you, we'll provide a link to you or your website. |
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"The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."
- Paul Valery | | Do you know someone else who might be interested in reading this? Send it to them now by clicking here.
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At last! Another running of Beth's popular teleclinic "Build Your Executive Coaching Practice," will get started in January. What better way to fulfill your New Year's resolution to get your business going than to sign up now for this
comprehensive and practical course! And, if you register before the end of the year you'll get 10% off the price. Click here for specific details and a link to online registration. If you want to know more now, please contact Beth at (410) 626-6008. | | |
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