To Become More Persistent in Life, Try These 7 Ways!

“Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.” — Charles R. Swindoll 

Isn’t this the perfect quote to sum up how we should look at life? I get it; life is unpredictable, with its highs and lows, but how you take those moments of unpredictability decides how your life should be shaped. Now, in the face of adversity, you can either give up or persevere. 

The qualities that stand out to me when I see someone facing challenges are hope and persistence. Being persistent is like that unwavering determination to just keep swimming, in the words of Dory, even when ocean waves seem to pull you against the current. 

When I say persistent, I mean the ability to continue pursuing your goals despite the setbacks, hurdles, and failures you meet along the way. It’s that inner drive that keeps you moving forward, one step at a time, towards your goal. Knowing that being persistent can change your life and how you look at it can be a game-changer. And that’s what we’re exploring in this article. 

Let’s take a look at what influences our persistence and the ways we can become more persistent in life. 

What Influences Persistence?

Several things can help you develop or even determine the level of persistence. Your motivation, for one, is a major factor in persistence. When you are driven by a strong desire to achieve your goals, you’re more likely to persevere through your adversities.

Motivation can come from internal factors such as passion and purpose in life, and even from external factors such as the need for recognition and rewards. 

The ability to believe in yourself and that you will succeed can also be a factor that can influence your persistence. If you are confident in your skills and abilities, then you’re more likely to be persistent than others. 

Having clear and defined goals can also influence your persistence. When you know what you’re working towards, it gives you a sense of direction and purpose, making it easier for you to stay focused and committed. And let’s not forget that a positive mindset also plays a major role in your being persistent. 

Having a positive mindset towards the challenges you face can impact your persistence levels. If you view your setbacks and failures as opportunities for growth, then you’re more likely to bounce back from failures and continue pursuing your goals. These little things you do or feel can make a huge difference in how you view and live your life. 

But, How Does Persistence Work?

Persistence is like a well-oiled machine that keeps you moving. It involves setting goals for yourself, staying motivated and focused, and continuously changing and adapting to your situations. It’s not about being stubborn, per se; it’s more about being resilient and learning from every experience — positive or negative.

However, being persistent isn’t always a positive thing. It has its own dangers. Let’s take the example of Sheldon Cooper (The Big Bang Theory; Young Sheldon).

While I admired his persistence in doing things his way, sometimes, it led to his social awkwardness and tunnel vision (which isn’t always something that goes in his favor). This little example reminds us that balance is important. 

Persistence, while good, should be coupled with self-awareness and a desire to adapt, if not change, to your circumstances. 

So, How to Be More Persistent in Life? 

1. Start With Small Steps

It’s good to have a big vision, but it’s also important to begin small. Break your goals down into smaller, more manageable chunks. This will help you celebrate small victories along the way, maintaining motivation and momentum. 

2. Keep Check of the Reasons 

Here, by reasons, I mean the “why” behind your goals. Knowing the purpose of your actions will give you a deeper sense of meaning and can fuel your persistence, especially when you’re facing a challenge in life. 

3. Pause, But Don’t Give Up 

It’s important to know when to pause and when to quit. Fatigue is normal and taking breaks can be good for your success and well-being. When you take a break, it isn’t a sign of weakness or giving up; it’s a strategic move to recharge yourself and approach the challenge with energy once more. 

4. It’s OK to Start Again 

Understand that failure and setbacks are not the end of your life as you know it, but they are an opportunity to start afresh. Learn from your mistakes, make modifications to your way of approaching, and approach your goal with a fresh mindset and determination.

5. Failure is Acceptable 

As I said, failure is OK. Rather than viewing failure as another roadblock, see it as a stepping stone. Each failure you meet will yield a new lesson, and will you bring you closer to your success. So, keep going, my friend, despite the failures you face.

6. Choose Supportive People

Your growth needs to be surrounded by people who believe in you. I had a friend who would always tell me I couldn’t do something, and that pulled my morale to bits. But, when I found friends who supported me in everything I did, it brought me encouragement and helped me celebrate my wins. So, choose well about whom you surround yourself with. 

7. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection 

Look at your progress, not how perfectly you did something. Celebrate how you have been doing rather than what you’ve done. Recognizing these small victories and steps can help you stay motivated and reinforce the idea that being persistent is progress, not a stop. 

Wrapping Up…

In life, there are a thousand things we do and a thousand challenges we face, and in the face of it, persistence is one little thread that brings us closer to our success. Being persistent isn’t about being flawless, but it’s about staying true to your goals and dreams and moving forward. 

So, dream big, accept failures, and remember that persistence is an act of balance. Only when you can balance persistence with self-awareness, can you become a pro at navigating the twists and turns in the grand unpredictable journey we call life. 

Let me know what persistence means to you and how you stay persistent in your life in the comments below. We love to hear from you! 

Take care, and in the words of our beloved fish Dory, just keep swimming, my friend!