You dream of being successful but are you ready to fight for that success? Success doesn’t happen overnight. If you want to be successful you are going to have to develop the trait of perseverance.
Some people may describe it as persistent, dedication or commitment but in essence, it is that you do not stop until they achieve your goal. You don’t let anyone else get in your way and you don’t take no for an answer.
When I was 21 my goal was to be a Marketing Manager by 25. At this point in my life I had just finished my Dance degree and given that most people in performing arts don’t become a Marketing Manager until late twenties/early thirties. It was an ambitious aim, but I was determined. I made strategic choices to help my goal come true. I chose a masters programme to support that ambition and interned at the company where the leading arts marketer was the Director. I wasn’t even interning in the marketing department, but I managed to get myself working on a marketing project, secured some freelance work afterwards and then persuaded the leading marketer to be my mentor. All seemed to be going to plan…
Over the next two years, I had three interviews for junior marketing roles, with my mentor as the interviewer and three times I was unsuccessful. Can you imagine the repeatedly being told no, from the person who is meant to be supporting you? I was heartbroken but I wouldn’t let that stop me. I was determined to achieve my goal. So I looked at what I else I could do. I used all of my spare time to work, volunteer, network and improve my skills and I widened my application project to include managerial positions as well as assistant. Now part of me thought I was crazy applying for manager jobs, given I couldn’t even secure a junior position, but I time was ticking on my goal and I don’t like to fail.
Then at the ripe age of 24 (1 year before the deadline), I was offered a Marketing Manager role at an amazing company. I had managed to actually leap a whole level of hierarchy, which astounded many people, and WHY? BECAUSE I NEVER GAVE UP!
The point of that story is your goal might feel big and you are taking all of the right action and still not achieving it… but keep on going. Every biography of a successful person I have ever read has proven that perseverance is what separates successful people from the average. The truth is so many people are so close to having the breakthrough when they give up.
I can 99% guarantee there are going to be setbacks on the way to achieving your goals, but that is why you have BIG goals that will bring you immense reward and a sense of achievement when you finally achieve them.
