In recent weeks I have interacted with several friends and family who are working through difficult situations. We’ve had informative conversations about what motivates them to keep going. Though their motivations vary, the commonality is their desire to succeed. In every situation, they know the key to winning is to keep pressing forward, to persist in what they’re doing.

Some days are tough, some months are long, and occasionally some years seem endless. When you’re going through difficult times it can be tough just to get out of bed in the morning, and rolling up your sleeves and working can seem nearly impossible.

Despite the difficulties, you can push through adversity and come out better for it. You can make it through every challenging situation. Persistence is the key.

When you face a big project, you spend time preparing and then exert increased effort to finish on time and with high quality. When you finish, you do not pat yourself on the back as if you have “arrived” but you look forward to the next opportunity. You may (and should) take time to celebrate after completing a successful project, but the next day you get started on the next venture. It’s the continuation of small successes that becomes the success.

Remember, success is the journey, not the destination. Persistence keeps you moving forward on that journey. Persistence is the key to winning.

Questions: What have you learned from persisting? How do you keep a positive outlook? Please leave a comment in the space below.

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The Product Management Perspective: Building products requires work and persistence, time and effort. You need strategy to build the right products. You need persistence to build the products right and get them to market.