Chapter 9 – Persistence
Persist in the dictionary is described as
: to continue to do something or to try to do something even though it is difficult or
other people want you to stop, and
: to continue to occur or exist beyond the usual, expected, or normal time
People are persistent. But what are we persistent in?
How many people are persistent in things that really do not increase the value of their
lives.
– People are persistent in spending hours watching their favorite television show.
– People are persistent in their negativity.
– People are persistent in coming up with excuses to not change their lives.
– People are persistent in blaming others for their failures.
These people are persistent but they also wonder why life does not get better, why do
others always get the breaks and are why are others always the lucky ones.
How many people are persistent in doing the things that will change their lives.
– People are persistent in spending time in personal development.
– People are persistent in positive thinking.
– People are persistent in taking action to change their circumstances.
– People are persistent in taking responsibility.
These people are also persistent but they to not make excuses, they know their life will
only change if they make the change.
So people are persistent and we just need to ask ourselves are we persistent in the right
things?
As Michael so often says, “How we do anything, is how we do everything”.
Tuula Rands
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Great Loser
At age 7 the boy’s family was forced out of their home. He had to work to help support
them. Two years later his mother died.
At age 22 his business failed. The following year he lost his job, applied for law school
but was not admitted, and ran for his state legislature but lost the election.
The following year he borrowed from a friend to start another business and was bankrupt
by the end of the year. He would spend the next 17 years paying off the debt.
At age 25 things began looking better. He ran for his state legislature again – and won. He
met a young woman and fell in love.
Then at age 26 he went back down the rat hole in a big way. After announcing their
engagement to be married, his sweetheart died and his heart was broken. The following
year he had a total nervous breakdown and stayed in bed for six months.
At age 29 he sought to become speaker of his state legislature and was defeated. Two
years later he sought to become elector and lost. Three years after that he ran for United
States Congress and lost.
At age 37 he ran for Congress again – and won.
Two years later he ran for re-election – and lost. The following year he sought the job
of land officer in his state and was rejected.
At age 45 he ran for United States Senate and lost. Two years later he sought the Vice-
Presidential nomination at his party’s national convention – and lost with less than 100 votes.
At age 49 he ran for United States Senate again – and again lost.
Two years later Abraham Lincoln was elected 16th president of the United States.
Your Friend and Servant,
Ken Klemm
P.S. “If you gave me eight hours to chop down a tree,
I’d spend the first six hours sharpening my axe.” ~
Abraham Lincoln
