How to Cultivate Persistence and Reach Your Goals

Persistence is a powerful trait that can help you reach your goals. It’s essential to cultivate persistence in order to be successful in anything you pursue. This blog post will discuss the characteristics of persistent people, strategies to help cultivate persistence in yourself, and how to stay motivated to reach your goals.

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What is Persistence and Why Does It Matter?

Persistence is the ability to keep going even when the odds are against you. It’s the determination to keep trying and never give up. We’ve all heard the expression, “Try, try again.” That is what persistence is. This is an important trait to have if you want to achieve success in any area of your life.

Persistence can help you achieve your goals by pushing you to keep going even when the going gets tough. It can also help you develop resilience, which is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep going. With persistence, you can stay motivated to reach your goals and stay on track.

For some neurodivergent people, persistence is difficult because they feel like failures. They’ve been trying to live in a neurotypical world and live by those standards. Doing so can feel very defeating. However, learning to be persistent can help as you are working on increasing your executive functioning skills and abilities to be successful. It might take you longer than “typical” people to get things down, but with the right mindset and perseverance, you can accomplish what you set out to do.

Characteristics of Persistent People

Persistent people possess certain qualities that help them stay focused on their goals. They have a strong sense of purpose and the determination to keep going no matter what. They also have a clear vision of what they want to achieve and the steps they need to take to get there.

Here are some characteristics of persistent people:

They are goal-oriented.

Highly persistent people set goals that help them stay focused and motivated. They have a clear purpose and are able to stay focused on their goals. They also have a strong work ethic and the discipline to stay on track. What might this look like for you? Deciding what executive function skills you want to improve most and using that as a goal. What will your life look like when you have that skill?

They have a positive mindset.

Persistent people also have a positive mindset. They’re able to stay optimistic even when things don’t go as planned. They’re also able to take risks and push themselves out of their comfort zone. As I said, many neurodivergent people struggle with mindset because they are TIRED. They’re tired of trying to fit in. They’re tired of trying and failing. It’s hard to stay positive when you can’t see the finish line.

Part of your mindset work is to realize that you need a new way of doing things. You need to work with your brain and not against it. Once you embrace how you work, it’s easier to develop the skills you need.

But it all starts with the belief that you can do it.

They are resilient.

No matter what life throws at them, resilient people keep going and never give up. They don't let a setback stop them from reaching their goals, but instead get back up and try again. They don't wallow in their misfortune, but rather show their strength by bouncing back and embracing resilience.

Some of the most resilient people I have ever met are neurodivergent. Because you are built different, you often have to try things more than once. Some of you are fearless. You’re okay with things not going your way or turning out the way you expect. That is a tough thing to learn.

Making mistakes or even outright failing is not the end of anything. You can stand up, brush yourself off, and try again.

They are creative.

Persisting in the face of adversity can be a sign of creativity, as it often involves trying out some unorthodox methods when tackling a problem. They don't give up when one of their ideas fails, but rather begin brainstorming to come up with new approaches to solving the problem.

This is one way many neurodivergent people shine. You often have a different outlook on things. You formulate plans and execute them in ways other people don’t consider. It’s time to embrace that ability.

They look to the future.

Persistent people have the amazing ability to think ahead. Rather than getting caught up in the past or worrying about the unknown, they choose to focus on the future and what they can do to keep pushing forward. It's a truly forward-thinking approach!

If you have anxiety, one of the struggles you are faced with is getting caught up thinking about the past. It can weigh you down and interfere with your ability to envision a bright, successful future. To work on your mindset in this way, think about what your future will look like once you accomplish your goals.

They learn from their mistakes.

Making mistakes is a part of being human. It's normal to have imperfections, and that's where persistence comes in – it helps us make the most out of our mistakes and learn from them. A persistent person knows that mistakes can be great learning opportunities. After making a mistake, they use the valuable lesson they gained from the experience to help inform their decisions in the future. Instead of letting the mistake prevent them from trying again or making them feel embarrassed, they make sure to stay positive and keep going.

Learning from your mistakes helps build up your resilience. If you accept mistakes for what they are—a learning experience—it becomes much easier to bounce back.

Strategies to Cultivate Persistence in Yourself

If you want to cultivate persistence in yourself, there are certain strategies you can use. These strategies are the same skills you use to develop your executive functioning skills. It starts with goals, planning, and mindset.

The first is to set realistic goals and break them down into smaller, achievable steps. This will help you stay motivated and on track.

You should also create a plan and schedule for yourself. This will help you stay organized and focused on your goals. Additionally, you should prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important ones first. This will help you stay on track and not get overwhelmed.

Another strategy is to surround yourself with people who are persistent. This will help you stay motivated and inspired. You can also use positive affirmations to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.

Practicing Persistence – How to Develop Confidence in Your Ability to Reach Your Goals

In order to develop confidence in your ability to reach your goals, you need to practice persistence. This means taking consistent action toward your goals and not giving up even when things get difficult. Here are some strategies to help you.

Brainstorm contingencies:

Think about alternate plans in case something doesn’t work out. If you consider possible challenges you might encounter, you won’t be taken by surprise and you’ll know how to deal with them ahead of time. If you have ADHD and tend to be impulsive, taking the time to consider alternate plans will help you slow down and make the best choices.

Consider the “worst-case scenario”:

For some people with executive dysfunction, their anxiety can make them believe outlandish, horrible possibilities. Take a step back and analyze the situation and possibilities through the lens of reality (not anxiety). Only address the issues that are a real possibility.

Focus on the process:

You should focus on the process rather than the outcome. Yes, you want to reach your goals, and you should work toward them. However, if you place emphasis on the process, you won’t feel so bad when things go wrong. You immediately start to consider how to get back on the right path.

This will help you stay focused on what you can control and not get distracted by the results. Additionally, it’s important to celebrate even small successes. This will help you stay motivated and give you the confidence to keep going.

Be patient:

Be patient with yourself. You won’t reach your goals overnight, and it’s important to be comfortable with the process. Celebrate your progress and be proud of yourself for taking consistent action.

Accept failure:

Failure is inevitable on the path to success. It’s important to accept this and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow. When you fail, take some time to reflect on what went wrong and what you can do differently next time.

Be flexible:

It’s important to be flexible and adaptable. You need to be able to adjust your plans when needed and be open to trying new things. This will help you get back on track and reach your goals.

Learn from mistakes:

It’s important to learn from your mistakes and use them as motivation to keep going. Reflect on what went wrong and figure out how you can do better next time. You should also use your mistakes as an opportunity to grow and develop.

While it takes time and effort to cultivate persistence, it’s worth it. Once you master the art of persistence, you’ll be able to stay focused and motivated to reach your goals. With persistence, anything is possible.