Persistence and Success

As you go through life you will encounter many problems and setbacks. You need to react positively to the negative stuff and move forward toward your goals.

I live in Denver, the weather here is very changeable. On December 21 2009, the first day of Winter, we had 60 degree weather. That night the weather announcer on TV reminded us that we had snow on the last day of Summer.

This got me thinking about the unpredictability of life. As I frequently say, as you go through life stuff will happen -- good stuff, bad stuff, happy stuff, sad stuff, encouraging stuff, frustrating stuff. However, it's not that stuff that happens that's important; it's how you react to it. You can control the people and events in your life. You can control how you react to the people and events in your life.

I choose to react positively to the people and events in my life -- especially the bad stuff, sad stuff and frustrating stuff that happens to me. And I urge you to do the same if you want to create the successful life and career and that you want and deserve.

I know this isn't always easy. In fact, it's seldom easy. But the harder you find it to react positively to negative people and events, the more important it is for you to do so. Don't blame people or circumstances when things go wrong. Instead, choose to learn the lesson behind every less than successful relationship or event.

When you look for the lesson behind problems, setbacks and failures you are taking responsibility for your life and career. Find the lessons in the bad stuff that happens and then do something to put those lessons to work. As we begin 2010 commit to taking responsibility for yourself, your life and your career. Put yourself in the driver's seat. Don't let events and people stop you from achieving your goals. Be persistent.

As I write this, I'm reminded of the famous quote on persistence by Calvin Coolidge…

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common that unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated failures. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

The common sense point here is simple. Successful people commit to taking personal responsibility for their lives and career. Only you can make you a success. You have to take personal responsibility for creating the successful life and career you want and deserve. Persistence is the mark of people who are committed to taking personal responsibility for their lives and careers. Persistent people keep going; even in -- no especially in -- the face of difficulties and problems. Promise yourself that you will commit to taking personal responsibility for your life and career in 2010. Be persistent. Keep at it, and you will reach your goals.