As taught by Napolean Hill in his book Think and Grow Rich

At Launch Leadership Development we believe persistence is a required skill for successful leadership, and worthy of study and practice.

Napolean Hill devoted a chapter to the study of persistence in his book Think and Grow Rich, where he states that in his study of 500 successful entrepreneurs, persistence was a common trait in these great American leaders. 

I’d like to share with you these ideas he presents concerning persistence:

• Hill’s definition and thoughts about persistence
• Qualities of persistence
• Symptoms of lack of persistence
• How to develop persistence
• The benefits of being persistent

Hill has this to say about persistence:

• The basis of persistence is the power of will
• Willpower and desire are required for success
• Lack of persistence is a weakness common to most men and the main cause of failure
• Persistence is a state of mind, and so it can be cultivated.

Qualities of Persistence according to Hill:

• Definiteness of purpose. This is the first step: know what you want.
  • Desire – there must be a burning desire to maintain persistence
  • Self-reliance – you must believe in your ability to achieve or obtain your goal
  • Definiteness of plans – organize a detailed plan to obtain your goal
  • Accurate knowledge – knowing, not assuming or guessing “facts”
  • Cooperation – encouragement from others helps build persistence
  • Willpower – build a habit of focusing on the plan and dream, keeping it in front of you
  • Habit – persistence is a direct result of habit.

Symptoms of lack of persistence:

• Failure to recognize and clearly define exactly what one wants
• Procrastination
  • Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge needed to obtain the goal
  • Indecision and/or “passing the buck” on all occasions
  • Habit of relying upon alibis instead of creating definite plans for the solution of problems
  • Self-satisfaction – nothing can be done to help this dilemma, he says
  • Indifference – shows in readiness to compromise rather than stand up to obstacles
  • Habit of blaming others for one’s mistakes
  • Weakness of desire
  • Willingness to quit at the first sign of defeat
  • Lack of organized plans, placed in writing
  • Habit of neglecting to move on ideas or grasp opportunities
  • Wishing instead of willing
  • Habit of compromising with poverty instead of aiming at riches, general absence of ambition to be, to do, to own
  • Searching for all the shortcuts to riches, trying to get without giving
  • Fear of criticism and what others will say or think

How to develop persistence- Hill says you must have these things:

• A definite purpose backed by a burning desire for its fulfillment
  • A definite plan, expressed in continuous action
  • A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences
  • A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose

Hill says these 4 steps listed above are essential for success in all walks of life because they:

• Help one control his economic destiny
  • Lead to freedom and independence of thought
  • Lead to riches in small or great quantities
  • Lead the way to power, fame, and worldly recognition
  • Guarantee favorable “breaks”
  • Convert dreams into physical realities
  • Lead to the mastery of fear, discouragement, indifference

As you read through the lists of qualities of persistence and symptoms of lack of persistence, did you do a self-analysis? If not, I encourage you to reread the lists and rate yourself.  If you see some areas where you could improve, I urge you to diligently work on them, as persistence is truly worth the effort and time needed to develop, my friend!

-Jan Jones

Check out this video on persistence!