Persistence-Not Stupidity
There’s something to be said – although cautiously – for persistence
There was a time in my life when I put persistence on a much more exalted pedestal than I do now.
In fact I talked about it constantly without caveat!
There is a fine line between essential, admirable persistence and stubborn, costly stupidity!
All astute entrepreneurs and marketers learn and welcome the swift sword.
To find out what won’t work as quickly and cheaply as possible, then on to the next experiment!
In concert, though, if they find or figure out something that shows promise, they have bulldog tenacity and tremendous patience in tinkering, tweaking, testing, and tinkering some more to get it fully functional.
They are very resistant to other’s discouraging opinions!
Also don’t ever mistake genius for persistence!
When you look at top achievers in any field, selling included, the temptation is to credit them with genius status, which makes it impossible for an ordinary mortal like yourself to match them!
But the truth is, more often than not, their current ability to perform is the result of dogged persistence – methodical testing and tinkering, discarding what doesn’t work, identifying what does!
Not gifted genius!
And that my friends YOU can replicate!
Cool post. That picture of Muhammad Ali is one of my all time favorite sports photos.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Fitness Product Review
Duance,
Good to see that you distinguish between persistnece and stupidity (or stubborness to the effect). It really sorts out what’s insanity – doing the same things over & over again but expect different (better) results.
Funny things is with computer, often when accidents or undesirable outcomes happen, it seems that we are just doing the same old rountines or processes and yet, surprises spring up. To err is human, to really mess up big time, we need a computer
)
Another point I observe is successful trading financial markets requires us to tread the path of LEAST resistance so that we can follow the trend (NOT the herd). The trouble is before something is obvious, it’s hard to say WHAT the trend is!
John Ho
Numerology Expert Birthday Numeroscope
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personality for Better Influence & Persuasion
Knowing when to quit is as important and known when to persist.
When it comes to getting the results you want, it doesn’t matter how persistent you are if you’re doing something dumb!
Have you read Seth Godin’s The Dip?
It deals just with this subject and it’s a short easy read.
Like it.
“How do you get a Blackbelt in Karate?…..Persistence”
Lynn Lane
Warrior Of Success Training
Hi Duane,
So true about mistaking genius for persistence and putting the time and effort in. Even a genius has to make the idea a reality or find someone who can, which requires work.
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com
Persistence needs to be tempered with good judgement. it does no good to strive and struggle for teh wrong things and for the wrong reasons.
Still, when presented with the right opportunity, most people can use a little more persistence.
Steve Chambers
Hi Duane,
Great points. Now that I think of it, I may have commented on this before. I don’t think my prior comment got through.
Anthony
http://www.anthonylemme.com
Persistence pays off often – that old saying something like the squeaky wheel gets the grease is very true!
Lisa McLellan
Babysitting Services – Babysitters and Nannies
Hi Duane,
I see that great photo of Ali and think that silly song, “Mama gonna knock you out…”
Indeed, persistence breeds success.
Happy Dating and Relationships,
April Braswell
Single Baby Boomer Dating Success Expert