Is Perseverance innate or learned?
9th January, 2009
What makes some people keep going when most others have become dejected, exhausted and disillusioned about their chances of ultimate success? What is going on in the inner workings of one's mind which makes them know that they should keep going when the far easier and the apparently more sensible option is to step back and retire gracefully with a crooked smile pasted upon your face?
Some would say you learn to be tough and dogged about things through example and experience; others believe that perseverance is a characteristic which we are all born with, although negative experience has the ability to beat it out of us. Looking at both of these views from the perspective of having a glass that is half full, as opposed to half empty, one can surmise that either way, perseverance CAN be learned; Because, even if an innate perseverance has been depleted for whatever reason, it is still somewhere deep inside, hidden and yet awaiting it’s recovery and glorious re-emergence.
What makes a child keep on trying to stand up and walk? After all, each and every one of us must have fallen on to our bottoms a thousand times during this learning curve! Doesn’t this tell us that we do have a natural talent to persevere? And what makes a child learn a language which has so many complexities and keep going until they have it mastered? You and I did have the grit to persevere when we were 1 and 2 and 3 years of age….it was there, be it innate or learned….and so we all have the potential to persevere at any age, throughout any circumstances, and achieve the success which we so desire.
And desire goes hand in hand with perseverance. As Abraham Lincoln said “Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any other one thing”. Your own desire or willingness to pursue your goal is a key factor here. A burning desire charges you with enthusiasm, and enables you to see opportunities which others may miss; it turns you into an optimist as opposed to a pessimist.
There are many well known visionaries who have succeeded despite major disadvantages. Beethoven was deaf; Thomas Edison had a learning problem, as did Albert Einstein, whilst Vincent Van Gogh was mentally ill. These people had vision, they could see, hear, touch and feel the success they sought, before they found the right path. They could imagine the end result in which they were in pursuit, and this was the fuel which stoked the fire of their enthusiasm and desire, which in turn fed their perseverance.
When one is running out of steam, or feels low on juice, they have in fact simply lost their vision. The key to perseverance is in hanging on to your vision, thereby training your brain for success. Everyone can learn to do this, and hypnosis is an invaluable asset, because it allows access to the inner workings of your mind. Hypnosis is a vehicle which transports you back to that stage of life when it was easier to learn new things, when your subconscious mind is open to suggestion. You can regain that perseverance you had when you were learning to walk, and to talk. You can learn to turn your vision into reality.
Roseanna Leaton
BSc (Hons)(Psych), DHP, MIAPH
http://www.roseannaleaton.com
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