Persist Without Exception

It’s been a few weeks since I shared THE SIXTH DECISION FOR SUCCESS from Andy Andrew’s book, “The Traveler’s Gift”. Ok, be honest. Reading the last decision was a bit hard to do every day, wasn’t it? It’s longer than the other decisions and it takes things to a whole other level by diving into the very real and very difficult topic of forgiveness. I missed a couple of days myself during the three-week exercise. It’s ok. Just jump back into it and keep going. It’s just about the practice and the power of transformation that can occur by doing it. I really appreciate you going through these exercises with me and hope they have been helpful to you on your journey to success. Oh, by the way, you’ve made it. It’s time to learn the SEVENTH DECISION FOR SUCCESS, the final decision from Andrew’s book. 

THE SEVENTH DECISION FOR SUCCESS

I will persist without exception. 

Knowing that I have already made changes in my life that will last forever, today I insert the final piece of the puzzle. I possess the greatest power ever bestowed upon mankind, the power of choice. Today, I choose to persist without exception. No longer will I live in a dimension of distraction, my focus blown hither and yon like a leaf on a blustery day. I know the outcome I desire. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit. 

I will persist without exception. I will continue despite exhaustion. 

I acknowledge that most people quit when exhaustion sets in. I am not “most people.” I am stronger than most people. Average people accept exhaustion as a matter of course. I do not. Average people compare themselves with other people. That is why they are average. I compare myself to my potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as a precursor to victory. 

How long must a child try to walk before he actually does so? Do I not have more strength than a child? More understanding? More desire? How long must I work to succeed before I actually do so? A child would never ask the question, for the answer does not matter. By persisting without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured. 

I will persist without exception. I focus on results. 

To achieve the results I desire, it is not even necessary that I enjoy the process. It is only important that I continue the process with my eyes on the outcome. An athlete does not enjoy the pain of training; an athlete enjoys the results of having trained. A young falcon is pushed from the nest, afraid and tumbling from the cliff. The pain of learning to fly cannot be an enjoyable experience, but the anguish of learning to fly is quickly forgotten as the falcon soars to the heavens. 

A sailor who fearfully watches stormy seas lash his vessel will always steer an unproductive course. But a wise and experienced captain keeps his eye firmly fixed upon the lighthouse. He knows that by guiding his ship directly to a specific point, the time spent in discomfort is lessened. And by keeping his eye on the light, there never exists one second of discouragement. My light, my harbor, my future is within sight! 

I will persist without exception. I am a person of great faith. 

In Jeremiah, my Creator declares, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” From this day forward, I will claim a faith in the certainty of my future. Too much of my life has been spent doubting my beliefs and believing my doubts. No more! I have faith in my future. I do not look left or right. I look forward. I can only persist. 

For me, faith will always be a sounder guide than reason because reason can only go so far—faith has no limits. I will expect miracles in my life because faith produces them every day. I will believe in the future that I do not see. That is faith. And the reward of this faith is to see the future that I believed. 

I will continue despite exhaustion. I focus on results. I am a person of great faith. 

I will persist without exception.

Andrews, Andy. The Traveler's Gift

Something I have gleaned from my shift to living a healthy lifestyle is that it’s about persistence. It’s about doing the work. It’s about doing it even when you don’t want to and being ok when you can’t do it. Some days I just don’t feel like working out and other days I look forward to the opportunity to do it. Most days I do it anyway because I never regret doing it, but I always regret it when I don’t. As a business owner, I love that it allows me to connect with my body while giving my mind a break. Often I find that I’m thankful for the time away from the computer and the fresh air I get while working out, especially when it’s outside. 

Recently I caught a sinus cold for a few days and had to take a break from working out. It felt foreign to me to stop doing something that had become such an ingrained habit but used to be such a struggle to keep a consistent routine. I was an overweight kid growing up and didn’t take fitness more seriously until high school when I got more serious about dating! I’ve continued to struggle with my weight for most of my life, the ebb and flow of the scale (and my pant sizes). Heh!

What I’ve learned over the last six years is that the same rules apply to fitness as they do to growing a business — persistence. Nike has had this one locked for decades — Just do it! It’s about showing up and holding yourself accountable for the things you want. It’s about making a choice about what’s important to you and sticking with it, even (and especially) when people aren’t watching. 

We are human and will slip up. And that’s ok. It’s ok to have a day off here and there. It’s ok if you want to become an entrepreneur and make an impact in the world as much as it’s ok to stop being an entrepreneur and work for someone else. Whatever the decision is, choose yourself, choose your success, and be persistent. Check-in with yourself and make sure it’s for you and not someone else. Just keep doing the work. Small, humble steps consistently will compound over time and are the true key to your success, not get-rich-quick schemes that aren’t actually serving you or anyone else. 

There is a not-so-sexy aspect to being an entrepreneur. It takes a lot of work and it can get very lonely. It’s easy to hide the missed days of doing the hard work we have to do in our businesses. There is no one there to challenge you or to push you to stretch and grow to achieve the things you really want. There is no one there to ask the tough questions and to help coach you to the prize you secretly crave. That’s where advisors like me come in. To guide and support you as you work toward achieving the life you’ve been dreaming of. 

It starts with a choice. The choice to make a change. Not unlike the choice of being someone who lives a healthy lifestyle and builds a habit of eating well, exercising, etc. Choose to become who you’ve dreamt of being - a leader, doer, game-changer, and humble servant to those you love and who love you because you are aligned, appreciate one another and are willing to work together in a mutually beneficial way. 

Many of us are facing some pretty unsettling challenges these days. They can feel insurmountable and overwhelming. My invitation to you is to look within. Know your North Star. Know your lighthouse, the beacon that will guide you home safely in the storm of life. Know your mission and whom you serve. 

Then have faith. You are where you are supposed to be right now. Trust in the universe and its plan for you, AND you still have to do the work. Keep learning, growing, and devoting your days to your cause that guides you to your destiny. Remember to reflect and check in with yourself along the way as you evolve and adapt. Above all, persist without exception. Never give up because you are enough and worthy of the life of your dreams.