Persistence is an awesome quality. Putting one foot in front of the other eventually gets you there. Taking yet another tutorial in order to understand a new process takes persistence. Where are you persistent in your life and where does it lead you?
Persistence begins with purpose
I wanted to put one of my books up on iBooks. It involved several steps and a couple of new software programs. I was familiar with e-publishing concepts because I had put books on Amazon, but the steps for iBooks were slightly different. But I really, really, wanted to get the book up.
When you’re clear about what you want to accomplish and the value it’ll have in your work and in the world, you’ll be propelled forward by the simple power of your purpose.
Perseverance asks for tenacity
I worked at this publishing process over the course of several days. I had to redo a few lengthy steps because I’d chosen the wrong template. I had to repeat steps because I’d forgotten how to use the software. But as the goal, the end result, was foremost in my mind, I kept learning and studying and making steady progress.
I realized that I often put off some things because I have a fear that I will have to push my way though something technical. It often turns out to be a valid expectation, but the more I explore, the more I learn, the more I master, the easier it all becomes. Tenacity eventually creates ease of doing.
Persistence asks for patience
Things went really well in iTunes Producer because the directions are very clear but I got in trouble at what I thought was the “submit your manuscript” screen. If there was a “submit” button, I couldn’t see it. I thought it may have been because there was a row of icons at the bottom of my screen that were probably hiding the “submit” button or the “next” button. I knew there was a way to hide the icons in Settings but I couldn’t find it. All I really wanted to do was complete what I was doing and submit my book. The reason I couldn’t find the solution was because I didn’t remember that the row of icons was called a “dock”. The entire iPublisher program froze up and I had to force quit. So close and yet so far. I was very frustrated.
My next step was to look at a tutorial on hiding the dock, which would have fixed the problem. But I waited until the next day to publish. I hid the dock, recovered the work I had done the day before and sure enough, the “submit” button was in clear view. I did it!
On my first try, I did not get the job done. I did not complete what I set out to do and that was discouraging. But I observed my dogged persistence and was impressed by my perseverance, my willingness to figure out the next step, and the number of tutorials I read to figure out this process. I admired my own steady persistence.
Persistence requires you to be patient – with yourself and with the process.
Persistence requires determination
What do you really want? What are you willing to work for? When will you set aside time to make it happen?
My big takeaway from this several-day-long immersion in the publishing process was that I can do it. I can figure it out. I can make it happen. In fact, with determination I can make a great many important things happen.
Take small steps and celebrate!
Moving though a process is like walking on a trail. There are plateaus and there are hills. There may even be a few detours.
You pause to catch your breath where you need to and then you move on. Perhaps you encourage yourself by looking back to see how far you have come. Then turn forward and put one foot in front of the other until you reach your chosen destination.
You can do it!
The power of ownership!
There was a huge sense of ownership when I put the second book up on iBooks. It was easy, the steps were clear and I knew what I was doing. I felt a bit proud of my persistence and very proud of my accomplishment.
My big takeaway was that, given time, I can figure it out and make stuff happen. I learned that my knowledge builds with each experience, so the steps become easier. But most of all, I just watched as I cleared out a chunk of time to immerse myself in the process and stay with it until it happened.
Now that was rewarding.
Where have you shown persistence? What did you keep working on until you figured it out? Acknowledge that in yourself. Give yourself a pat on the back and know that with patience and perseverance you can accomplish anything you set out to do.
To Sing a Deeper Song Consider
Abracadabra! I Will Create As I Speak
