Persistence & Tenacity

During my work assisting Executives with Career growth, Leadership strategies and maximizing their potential, many characteristics attributed to 'success' are invariably discussed. From this standpoint, none are more important than Persistence & Tenacity.

Here are 5 quotes on Persistence & Tenacity to provide context :

"Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence & Patience alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

Often people overly focus on the talent or brilliance involved in someone's success. Clever people are noted for their intelligence while artists are lauded for their creative talent. Talent and intelligence are wonderful things but can only be capitalized with focus on continually pushing to learn, grow, accomplish and master. Goals can only be achieved by continuing to strive.

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out" - Robert Collier

When we are struggling for success ourselves, it can look from the outside like the successful have some rare talent or innate ability that we don't. The truth is, everyone has the ability to succeed if they continually try and persist - even in small ways - to improve and work towards goals on a daily basis,

"Let me tell you the secret that has led me to my goal. My strength lies solely in my tenacity" - Louis Pasteur

Great discoveries are made by people who don't give up. Whatever other talents they have could not shine unless they put in the effort to keep going, especially through the normal course of failures.

"Patience and tenacity are worth more than twice their weight in cleverness" - Thomas Huxley

Intelligence, charm and wit are appealing and often highly prized. People who are naturally bright or talented may often have an easier time advancing their skills. In truth though, the person who is determined and driven to succeed can surpass even the more intelligent and talented

"The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are : hard work, 'stick-to-itiveness' and common sense" -Thomas Edison

While clearly it is a combination of qualities that are common to successful people, Tenacity and Persistence remain overridingly fundamental to maximizing potential and overall success.