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The Art of Perseverance

Perseverance is powerful. It is a core element for turning dreams into reality. Being persistent and constant will take you as far as you want to go. Being determined to achieve something and following through every step of the way, no matter how hard, regardless of the obstacles is an almost guaranteed success.

And although there is nothing wrong with leaving a path or a tactic after deeply evaluating if it is worth your time and energy; here we will talk about those scenarios where after careful evaluation you have decided that they are worth the effort and will get you closer where you want to be. Sometimes we have to quit the method but not the goal, and that is an important part to evaluate.

At Freelance Latin America we value perseverance. We encourage our freelancers to persevere in what they believe in, not only on their jobs with us but also start their independent projects and give their best to succeed at both. In June, we wanted to highlight this important value by having it as the center of our monthly workshops with the whole team. And we shared this definition: 

“Perseverance is the quality of continuing with something even though it is difficult. It is a very important trait of character for a person to be successful in life.

It means determination at working hard regardless of any odds or obstacles that may exist. It is to insist and to be firm on getting something done and not giving up.”

We know it is easier to set a goal than to accomplish it. But there are ways to help you persevere until you finally reach the finish line. So, as we did with our freelancers, we will share with you some tips for persevering.

Clarify your goal

You may know what you want. Being successful, right? But that is not very clear. How can you get to a place if you don’t have a clear vision of where you want to go? You might get there, but it would be by accident, not by choice. And most likely the path that got you there was neither the shortest nor the most efficient.

Those ups and downs without a purpose can be very demotivating, making it harder for you to persist. 

What should you do? Make it clear, specific. Make it SMART. And most importantly give it a purpose that moves you; base it on your needs and abilities. That way, you will have the resources to achieve it and the meaning to fulfill it.

Show up for yourself

Let’s be honest, not even those motivational speakers are motivated at all times and every single day. But here is when having a purpose and some discipline come in handy. You need to show up and do what you have to do, even if you don’t feel like it. Because, in the long run, those not-so-motivated days when you stood up and said, I’m going to do this anyway, are the ones that will make the biggest difference.

Most people give up too soon to even know if their project would have been successful or not. So make a plan and stick to it. If you believe your purpose is worth the effort, then persevering and making the effort is only natural. Remember that the rock makes a hole in the stone by its perseverance, not by force.

Cultivate a network of support

Surround yourself with people that have your best interest and will be your cheerleaders when necessary. Having someone you trust as a confidant is a healthy choice, not only you will be able to have someone to brainstorm with, but also to open up and share your feelings.

Listening to somebody else, with a different perspective is great for growing, and also for being reminded that we are not alone. Let others inspire you. Have a network of people that are willing to support you, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Encourage yourself

You may face critiques, rejection, and much more. The important part here is to be resilient. Persevere, remember why you started. Dealing with opposition and the bumps on the road is never easy. That is why we need to have a positive inner dialog, to be able to convince ourselves that even though this door got shut in our faces, we can always look for a window opening. 

Most of the time, the biggest challenge, the one that makes people quit is not an external discouragement, but an inner one. Negative thoughts are pretty common, and that doesn’t mean they are invincible. Know yourself, your strengths, and your weaknesses.

Be an objective scientist when it comes to evaluating your progress and don’t take critique as a personal offense. They are ways to improve. Be aware of your thought process, and your self-dialog, and stop it if it starts getting negative. At that moment, remember your accomplishments and how far you have come. Celebrate your goals and be your own cheerleader.

Try new things

Every experience in life is a learning opportunity. And what better way to succeed rather than trying and learning new things? This will give you new perspectives, and help you think outside the box. Might sound crazy, but going to a new place for dinner might help you with a business problem. Why? Because every experience will teach you something if you look at it carefully enough.

You might find that the waitress tells a joke about the wine and that triggers the thought that you may need to take a day off to avoid burn-out. If you want to persevere, you need to approach the problems in many different ways. Not always you will find an easy answer.

Not always your proposal on the project will be taken on the first try. But keep going, change the ways. Try it again in a new way.

Slow but steady, sometimes fast and not moving at all at other times… Progress is not a linear thing. But don’t let any step back, any closed door, take you away from achieving your goal. So, what are you waiting to persevere in what you believe in?

Laura Navarro