Why Persistence isn’t the Answer

Jenny Garrett5th February 2015

So, I bet people are telling you that persistence is the key to success.

To getting the job you want, to making your business a success, to having the life you deserve.

I am here to say that’s frankly just not true.

The truth is that persistence is only half of the story. Yes Richard Branson, Michael Jordan, J K Rowling and Oprah Winfrey had to suffer failures to succeed, but it’s not just persistence that got them where they are today.

You see persistence alone is not enough. What is the saying; ‘doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is a form of insanity’ Would you be declared insane if I observed your actions?

If something isn’t working for you, stop doing it, simple as that. Persisting with it won’t make it better, but if you want to tweak your approach, your idea, your method, now maybe that could work.

Those who are successful may look like they are on a linear route, but they are following the in-direct path of evolution. That doesn’t mean that they are distracted by each shiny new things that comes their way, but are constantly evolving how they see and do things.

Maybe you want a promotion. The job you want may not be at your current employer, to get what you want you may have to move organisations.
Maybe you know what your clients need and it can benefit them but they are not interested. The mission you have might need to be adapted to serve your audience.
Maybe you wanted to help kids with your product, but an adult audience appreciate it more. The niche best suited to your product may be different to the one that you anticipated.

Remember 99% of our DNA is the same as chimpanzees, we only needed to change 1% to evolve. Find your 1% and work on it.

Here are three pointers on how to stop persisting and start evolving from the Solutions Focused Approach.