PERSISTENCY WORKS!!
by Sue Graber
Do you ever feel discouraged when you've been working towards something for what you feel is an "eternity" but seem to get nowhere? I'm here to encourage you to stick with it! Don't give up, especially on a bad day!
I'm sure all of us at some time or another have had that feeling that despite what we feel is a lot of long, hard work, that we're not getting anywhere — a bit like literally being "stuck" in the mud!
I was thinking back this past weekend to a time in my life when I had volunteered to help a nonprofit organization. I was put on a team of people who were assigned to go around to various "big businesses" in our area to ask them to support the cause of this nonprofit.
This organization was near and dear to my heart because it was a nonprofit that had helped my brother's family when he was tragically killed in a farm accident.
It became my mission, if you will, to do something positive that would make a difference to others who were going through a similar situation. The organization, Amanda the Panda, helps families, children specifically, deal with the loss of a loved one.
I decided that even if it meant "getting out of my comfort zone," I was going to make a difference and do everything I could to support this nonprofit organization.
Because I had that strong "mission" or "WHY" in my heart, I was able to help raise funds. Telling "my own story" as I presented myself to these companies allowed me to get through my own grief.
One of the companies, I needed to call back multiple times to get an "answer" as to whether they would provide $ for this organization. I will never forget the comment from the lady I met with, "I have never met anyone so persistent about following up."
I was able to make a contribution at a time when I needed to be out there serving others to forget my own trials. It made me realize I could do anything I set my mind to if I would stay consistent.. And with the power of God, it turned out to be a very meaningful experience.
Don't let fear stop you from doing something you know is important and on your heart. You will find a way if you trust God and believe that all things are possible.
It was a great feeling to know I had a positive impact… Staying persistent enabled me to make a difference!
What's going on in your life that causes you to "stay in the game" — stay persistent? What are you passionate about that moves you to keep going no matter what?
I'd love to hear from you on Facebook. Would love to connect with you on Twitter as well! Please leave your comments below.
Sue Graber has been happily married for 35 years, raising 3 daughters while working creatively from home in a variety of roles, including being a fund-raising specialist. She loves reaching out to others in kindness and is on a mission. She has an amazing ability to teach others how to build and nurture relationships, spend quality time with their families while establishing their own card and gifting business. Sue is passionate about showing others how they, too, can make a difference every single day!
{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Good article! Persistence pays off for some things. However, for me, I just couldn’t figure out why I needed to be asking some people so often… then I realized I was asking the wrong people. That was a clue for me that if I had to ask too many times, I knew they were not interested or didn’t care, or worse, decided to ignore me. I didn’t like that, so I backed off! It’s like that adage, you want something to come to you, let it go… I know that if someone continued to be persistent with me, I would hit em! (hahaha just kidding..) Maybe there’s a difference between persistence and pushy?? Great job today!
Getting out of my comfort zone is not easy for me. People always thought of me as an outgoing person and I might portray myself as such, but when it really comes down to it and step out I am in the background somewhere..I need to change that. Thanks!
Great article, Sue! I agree with you that persistence works and does pay off in the end. What keeps me going is how happy my clients are when they get healthier and thank me for introducing them to what I take. I know how hard it was for me to get healthy and when I found out how to do it, I decided to help others! Thanks for sharing your story.
Sue, I think that you make a really great point when you said that you had a strong “WHY”…I think that when you have that, you can get over a lot of stumbling blocks and be persistent…great post!!
Definitely a strong “WHY”… When you have that it gives you what you need to push through on the hard days. Thanks for a great post Sue!
Indeed being persistent can help you make a difference. Thanks for the encouragement!.
Hi Sue…Excellent article on persistence! We must, as you say, have a ‘strong mission’ or ‘why’! The passion which drives our ‘why’ must be shared by our heart, mind, body and soul…then we are unstoppable! …Thank you, Hughie
Thanks Hughie. Definitely our “WHY” is what ultimately pushes us and won’t let us give up! Thanks for the comment!
Persistence pays off! I always say that if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again!
Absolutely…never giving up here.. Glad to be around such like minded friends!
When it comes from your heart you just naturally have determination! Great article!
Sue, love this comment “Don’t let fear stop you from doing something you know is important and in your heart.” Absolutely the truth!
Thanks for stopping by Kim. Fear can be so paralyzing and stop us from becoming everything God intends us to be! So powerful to realize that!
“Don’t let fear stop you from doing something….” AMEN to that! Thanks for the great post and the reminder to never give up!
Thanks for stopping by … Great to have encouraging friends to help us stick it out!
Thanks for sharing your Amanda the Panda story Sue, very inspirational. I have been feeling “stuck in the mud” about a few things lately, and it certainly does take a lot of work to keep up the persistence attitude when life seems to be trying to derail you. Stepping through the fear is the key. All things really are possible on the other side of fear!