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"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." Calvin Coolidge
I can hear half of my readers asking, "Who is Calvin Coolidge?" He was our thirtieth president from 1923-1929. But that's another blog altogether. What I want to talk about is persistence.
I believe I mentioned in an earlier blog that I joined a couple of on line classes. One class is a very good class dealing with motivation and organization and all those things that keep us from writing. As I've read the posts this week, it strikes me more and more that so many of the obstacles are bogus. They're another name for, "I don't really feel like doing this right now." Well, okay. Then say that. Don't say "I watch too much tv." Don't say "I have to walk the dog." Be honest and say "I don't feel like writing right now."
If we're honest, then we have to take ownership for our lost persistence bug. Old Calvin was correct. There's another old saying, that you can't stop a man who believes he's in the right because he just keeps on coming no matter what obstacles you throw in his way. It seems that a lot of us suffer from a lost persistence bug.
Diet gone down the tubes? Quit exercising? Too tired to get up? Vegging out in front of the TV? When did we quit trying? When did we quit? Is it any wonder that our children have no get up and go when they see that ours got up and went? Accomplishment is nothing less than an individual that kept on moving. All those old cliches are true...a journey does begin with the first step. A book does begin with the first word. A song begins with the first note. If we don't begin, if we don't continue, then we can never complete that journey, that book, that song.
My bugaboo is cleaning house. I hate it. I'll do almost anything to not do it. I'll even exercise or go for a walk or write three thousand words rather than clean house. So I've started working fifteen minutes a day on the house. I'm not telling you that I'm accomplishing great things here. But fifteen minutes is fifteen minutes. Maybe I'll stretch it to twenty. The important thing is that I don't give up entirely allowing it to defeat me. Persistence is the enemy of defeat. So be persistent. Keep on keeping on.
Anny
I am a great believing in persisting even when people say there is no point or you can't do it. I don't like whiners who make excuses instead of trying.In Australia there is an ethic of 'have a go'...sure you may not win but you can never be faulted for trying.
ReplyDeleteThere's a woman, I think she's called The Fly Lady, who talks about cleaning in 15 minute incremints. You start with the kitchen sink and clean it until it shines. She puts her philosophy into the rest of life too. Getting one area perfect at a time, not dividing your attention by taking on too many obstacles at once.
ReplyDeleteAnny, dear, you are very wise. Very clear and concise. I hope I find your wisedom.
Fly lady wrote a very good book...she was on a radio program a couple if weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteVery good blog.....
Right On!
Who is this anonymous person who frequently leaves notes for us??? A shy one, most like, or else someone who wishes (duh) not to be discovered. But why not? Hmm. Perhaps the identity in itself is the reason. Someone we'd all know otherwise, yes? Perhaps our fearless froggie leader? Helen is that you?
ReplyDeleteI like having 'anonymous' leave notes as it's mysterious...leave her/her alone. I believe this person has great taste and is smart to be reading our blogs...way to go anon
ReplyDelete