Which Engine Drives Your Persistence?

Persistence is often cited as an essential trait — not just for entrepreneurs, but in practically every aspect of life. We’ve all read stories about professional athletes whose persistence has played a significant role in their success. The ICMA actually says that persistence, along with integrity, are the two qualities leaders and employees need to have a distinguished career.

It’s importance is widespread when it comes to having an impact in the world. Goals often require us to face challenges and setbacks. Persistence helps us navigate through these obstacles without giving up. It fosters resilience, allowing us to adapt, learn from mistakes, and continue progressing. Further, many goals require time before we see tangible results. Persistence helps us practice delayed gratification, allowing us to stay motivated even when progress is slow or invisible. And perhaps most importantly, we have to remember others are watching what and how we strive for important goals. Persistence can inspire those around us. When others see our determination and commitment, it can motivate them to pursue their own goals with similar dedication.

But not all forms of persistence are created equal. There is a difference between hopeful persistence and cynical persistence — and that difference can have a direct impact on how you live your life and the kinds of results you get from your persistent efforts.

The Value Of Hopeful Persistence

A simple way to sum up the idea of ​​hopeful persistence is having an “I believe I can” or “I believe this is possible” attitude. It’s often expressed in quiet confidence that by continuing to give one’s best effort and put in the required time, that things will work towards some good, even if not the precise outcome I was aiming for.

As Dr. Patricia V. Smith, entrepreneur and author of I Persist, explains, hopeful persistence draws heavily from the Finnish concept of sisu. “Sisu is often described as a mix of stoic determination, grit and resilience and bravery,” she explains. “Even when facing extreme adversity where success doesn’t seem likely, having sisu means that you resolutely decide on and stick with a course of action to reach your desired goals. With a positive growth mindset, you take charge in putting yourself on the path to success.”

This level of persistence was an important aspect of Smith’s own life — and is something she feels is equally applicable to others facing challenges in their business, personal life or other endeavours.

“I spent much of my childhood on the streets of Spanish Town, Jamaica, where I experienced the impact of abandonment and many other types of adversity,” Smith recalls. “Despite this, I maintained a sense of determination and perseverance. I had hope that I could change my circumstances for the better, and I clung to my goals and dreams, which eventually allowed me to escape my past and find success as a businesswoman.”

With hopeful persistence, individuals have the necessary mindset and develop daily practices to overcome the obstacles they face and keep working towards their desired outcomes. They also develop positive relationships with others who can help them along this path.

The Dangers Of Cynical Persistence

Cynical persistence, on the other hand, adopts more of a “me against the world” or “I’ll show you” mentality. Rather than being positive and hopeful, it tends to be vindictive and bitter, blaming others for a perceived lack of success. It’s driven by a desperate need to prove something – to oneself or perceived nemeses. Further, cynicism-fueled persistence might encourage unhealthy coping mechanisms. People may use cynicism to justify unhealthy behaviors or isolate themselves from supportive relationships, believing that “nobody understands” or “nothing will change.”

While a sense of determination is still present, it lacks the stoicism that defines sisu. Instead, that sense of perseverance is highly emotional, which can cloud an individual’s sense of judgment and cause them to take actions that actually drive them away from achieving their goals. It can foster a rigid mindset, where you may resist new ideas or feedback. This resistance can hinder growth and adaptability, crucial for achieving long-term goals.

Cynical persistence can also make it harder for individuals to build a network of positive people. This can cause persistent individuals to miss out on (or even actively avoid) opportunities for collaboration that would otherwise have helped them reach their goals. It can damage relationships and trust within teams, families, and communities. A persistent, cynical attitude can create a toxic environment, dangerously provoking others to withdraw needed support and fulfilling the self-imposed prophecy of, “Nobody will help me,” or “I have to do things on my own.”

In the end, while cynicism-fueled individuals might keep working towards their goal, they don’t bring themselves any closer to accomplishing it because they are too stubborn or angry to invest in the steps that will help them succeed.

Developing Hopeful Persistence

Hope is created at the intersections of 1) passion – a desire for something vital, 2) perseverance – the need to prevail against great odds, and 3) faith – the belief that there could be something greater beyond those odds. Hope is not allegorical or “squishy.” And it’s proven to be a fundamental need for humans in times of intense stress or challenging circumstances. In Sweden, asylum-seeking refugee children contract what doctors call “resignation syndrome,” a self-induced coma to help them cope with a dire lack of hope. Researchers Peterson and Byron point out that individuals with a higher capacity for hope are more motivated to achieve their goals than those with low hope. They found that high-hope individuals had higher overall job performance, satisfaction, and tenacity, suggesting that hopefulness can help employees when they encounter obstacles.

Clearly, when faced with challenging conditions, our souls crave hope at a fundamental level because it is crucial to navigating seasons of turbulence. Hope isn’t the alleviation of fearful risk, or the sidelining of anxiety. It’s the choice to see beyond the current circumstances to something better despite the presence of those feelings.

So, how can you ensure that you develop hopeful rather than cynical persistence? A big part of it is ensuring that you maintain a positive outlook. Focus on what you can control, rather than the aspects of life that are outside your control. Developing a sense of gratitude can also keep your mindset where it needs to be.

Another crucial element is finding your “why” — your sense of purpose. Pairing a strong sense of purpose with a series of small, achievable goals will give you motivation and help the path to success feel less overwhelming. This will also help you stay focused on the small victories you achieve along the way and make it easier to recognize your progress, even when you encounter temporary failures or setbacks.

These goals should also include a focus on your personal growth and development. A growth mindset that emphasizes your own improvement will help you find new opportunities to learn and develop the skills needed to achieve your larger goals.

Finally, don’t neglect the value of self-care and surrounding yourself with positive people. Fostering connections with encouraging, positive individuals who help you stay positive (or even improve upon your current skills) will make it easier to make progress. Social, physical, mental and emotional well-being will ensure you have the stamina to keep going.

Finding The Hopeful Path Forward

While persistence is clearly an essential trait in business and any other part of life, how you persist can be just as important — if not more important — than the simple fact of persisting. By maintaining faith in your future and working towards your goals with determination and resilience, you can position yourself to achieve the loftiest outcomes, no matter what challenges stand in your way.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to win the internal battle between an “I believe I can” and “I’ll show you” attitude. By taking the time to reassess your mindset and develop a strong set of internal values ​​to guide your actions, you can move forward with hopeful persistence.