Persistence

Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success – Napoleon Hill

Persistence is defined by the firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action despite difficulty or opposition. It’s undeniably the one factor that overcomes defeat, pushes people to succeed and conquers those so-called unattainable goals. The ability to keep pushing past barriers, struggles, challenges and overcoming the impossible at times, to accomplish what you want, is a worthy and admirable skill. It’s the single trait that allows people to keep moving forward and not take life’s hard blows lying down. I love reflecting on the examples we know well and some not as much. It’s something to strive towards and remind yourself to keep driving forward and getting up every time we fall and fail.  Here’s some fine example of persistence….in no particular order.

1.    Tiger Woods - History was made the other day with Tiger Woods winning the 2019 Masters tournament. He battled a dreadful unhinging of his personal life, a diminishing golf career and physical injuries to come back on top. After his steady demise he battled back to win his first major in eleven years becoming the 2019 Masters champion.

2.       Diana Nyad – At age 64 and on her 5^th attempt Diane Nyad, conquered the swim from Havana, Cuba to Florida. There were some critics and controversies surrounding her unassisted swim following her accomplishment. Still, you can’t ignore the fact that perseverance drove her to complete the swim on her fifth attempt at age 64! Thirty-five years after her first attempt at this feat at age 29 in 1978, it’s nothing but impressive. 

3.       Michael Jordon – “I have failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.” It wasn’t everything but net for Michael Jordon who failed to make his high school basketball team. Not making the team was devastating but it pushed him to keep working harder and to keep persevering. It’s common knowledge how impressive of a career he had in basketball and by far one of the greatest athletes of our time.

4.       Nelson Mandela – After 27 years in prison, Mandela, did not give up hope or the desire to dismantle apartheid in South Africa. Soon after his release in 1990, he led the efforts to end apartheid. His long and gruelling stint in prison did not deter him from achieving his goal and desire for his nation. He was also befittingly called Madiba, Father of the Nation.

5.       Oprah Winfrey – Born into poverty and surviving a horrific childhood, Oprah persisted and slowly became a pinnacle of success and a magnate in the media. Her never say die attitude and positive thinking still resonates and changes peoples lives daily. Persistence is powerful.

6.       Joanne K Rowling – The author of the Harry Potter series, J K Rowling, was a single mom, who lived on welfare but never gave up her writing. She persisted through hardships, a divorce and depression, writing and mapping out her Harry Potter series wherever and whenever she could. The Harry Potter script was rejected by twelve major publishing houses and a couple years later was picked up by a small publisher who gave Rowling a small advance for the book and published only 1000 copies. The rest as you know is history.

7.       Sylvester Stallone – Trying hard to make a living, Stallone wrote the script for Rocky and wanted to star as the main character. He was rejected and was later offered $350,000 for the rights to the script, with someone else as the lead. He didn’t give in and settled for a much lower price for the script but with him as the star. The famous Rocky would not be the same without the persistence of Stallone.

8.       Alex Honnold – If you haven’t watched Free Solo yet, please do. It highlights the sheer grit, courage and persistence of Alex Honnold. He is the first and only person to free solo El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. His methodical and thoughtful planning along with his persistence of seeing it through despite all the risks involved, helped create one of the greatest athletic feats of our time.

9.       Walt Disney – He failed over and over before he succeeded. Several of his business went bankrupt before, Walt Disney became a mogul in the animation world. He believed in his art form and kept pushing through his failures and challenges. His loving creation Mickey Mouse still entertains and spreads happiness across the world today.

10.   Mahatma Gandhi – Lawyer who then become a political and social activist led the charge of gaining freedom in India. Exposed to racial discrimination in South Africa, Gandhi gradually became a social activist fighting for racial equality and rights in South Africa. Returning to his home country, India, Gandhi became synonymous with freedom and civil rights. His persistent, non-violent, non-cooperation movement helped the eventual independence of India.

Have I left off any other examples of persistence? If so, please do share!

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming - Dory

At 6 years old I wouldn’t say it was fun waking up at the wee hours of the morning while everyone else slept in. It was barely light out and too early even for the birds and the rooster. Yet I woke up, dragged myself out of bed, barely knew what I was eating, got dressed and headed off to the pool. Once there, I breathed in the early morning air, cool breeze and the delicious smell of chlorine. The pool was serene and blue. Untouched! I looked forward to being the first to plunge in. Contrary to popular belief, warm weather climate pool water was always cold in the morning! After practice it was a quick shower and off to school, eyes tearing from the chlorine I could barely see the blackboard and take down notes. I did that for 13 straight years. Oh yes and twice a day…. Only in the afternoon you weren’t waking up early. You just go straight from school to home for lunch and homework and then back again in the pool. Thirteen straight years of two a day that became three a day training sessions closer to international competitions.

Ask me if I have watched more than 5 episodes of Beverly Hills 90210. The answer would be no. I couldn’t fully participate in school yard convo of the latest gossip, tv shows or school friend hangouts. I was swimming. I think I surprised my principal I didn’t turn into a fish as she so anticipated. I was often excused from being late to school, leaving early from school because of swim practices and meets. And yes, I so looked forward to those swim meets. Excited to see like-minded friends, show off the new swim suit, butterflies in tummy awaiting my next race. The flurry and activity all ended in one big award ceremony and party afterwards where I would be pushed back into the pool along with my fellow friends, clothes and all because of our winnings.                                                                                                                 

It certainly was time to hang up my suit after 13 years. It was tiresome, my back was injured, and I wanted to enjoy the same privileges as every other nineteen year old. Looking back now however, I miss those days. Swimming took 19 tiresome years but left me with so much more. Here’s some of what I carry with me today;

·         Your parents deserve those medals and trophies as much as you do. For 13 years I did not know what it was like to sleep in. Well neither did my parents! My mom got up even earlier to make breakfast and make sure I was out the house in time for practice with my dad. Maybe this is the reason I didn’t sway my kids away from hockey and cheer. I don’t have it in me to wake up at 4:30am anymore. My parents however did. I owe the success of my entire swimming career to them. A thank you doesn’t seem enough!

·         Practices count but the race counts even more. It doesn’t matter how hard you practice or prepare yourself, what matters most is the race. Make sure you are prepared when it really counts. Not being ready will cost you second place.

·         It taught me to be effective and efficient. Juggling swimming with school, homework, school exams and even French classes outside of school taught me to make the most of each minute. I paid real close attention when the teacher spoke, worked ahead of schedule at home, did homework on the bleachers while waiting for training to start. I did what it took to get my work done. Efficiency and Effectiveness became my best friends.

·         It taught me dedication and determination. I was determined to be the best when I wasn’t picked to be on the school relay team when I was 8. I tirelessly dedicated all my efforts, so I would be the first one picked. It paid off. Dedication and determination became my next best friends.

·         I learned camaraderie and I learned to have fun. My competition became my worst enemy in the pool and became my best friend on land. We would not talk to each other just before the race but no matter what the outcome, we rejoiced. At times, we may have been disappointed at the result, but were genuinely happy for victor. We pushed, we motivated, and we encouraged each other at practice to give our best. Most importantly we had fun!

 

Swimming taught me a ton. Whether you want to swim or not, I encourage you to pick up a sport or an activity that challenges you, draws the best out of you, gives you back so much more than you expected and lets you have a blast doing it. For me that was swimming.