Persistence

Persistence keeps the world moving. It’s the force that drives us to get back up when we’ve been knocked down, when our targets seem unattainable, and when our goals don’t yield immediate results. To get ahead in life, it’s about enduring setbacks, rising again, and refusing to quit. Persistence often leads to unique and rewarding experiences.

When I played in a band (covering Stones, Zeppelin, and other classic rock), people often said I wasn’t good enough. But by consistently showing up, we broke through barriers—touring Finland and even opening for prominent acts in the industry, achieving milestones we once thought were out of reach.

Persistence in action: From being told I wasn’t good enough to touring Finland and opening for prominent acts, showing up consistently made all the difference.cian pursuits

Just as persistence helped us push boundaries in the band, it’s also a lesson I’ve drawn from unexpected sources, like the stories of Korean and Vietnam War POWs. In Good to Great (one of my favorite management books), Jim Collins highlights the “Stockdale Paradox.” GIs who survived didn’t rely on blind optimism. For example, some POWs repeatedly believed they’d be released by Christmas or another arbitrary date. When those milestones passed, they lost hope and broke under the disappointment. In contrast, survivors confronted the brutal facts of their situation while maintaining faith in their ability to endure over the long term. This balance between realism and resolve has shaped how I approach challenges.

This mindset isn’t just for extreme situations—it’s something I’ve found invaluable even in everyday challenges, like hiking. Focusing solely on the destination can lead to frustration when it’s farther than expected. Instead, embracing the journey as the main experience, something that will last forever, transforms every step into something meaningful. The surprise of reaching a goal becomes even sweeter when you least expect it.

The same principle applies when dealing with challenges off the trail, such as managing demanding clients. Persistence means showing up daily and doing your best or making the conscious choice to abandon ship. Either approach is better than delivering half-hearted efforts.

Persistence isn’t about avoiding the boulder; it’s about choosing to push it with purpose. As Camus said, ''One must imagine Sisyphus happy''.

Like Camus’s Sisyphus, Viktor Frankl’s philosophy reminds us that meaning isn’t found in avoiding hardship but in embracing it, allowing purpose to transform struggle into strength. Frankl, in Man’s Search for Meaning, teaches that purpose isn’t about chasing external validation but about finding meaning even in hardship. He argues that the “why” we live for can give us the strength to endure any “how.” This resonates deeply with persistence—it’s about embracing your path, even when others don’t see its value. Over time, I’ve learned that aligning personal purpose with societal contributions creates true value. As opposed to cajoling ourselves into thinking we’re the main attraction. Purpose grows through experimentation and continuous feedback.

While purpose fuels persistence, another powerful driver is competition—when approached the right way. Competition can be a double edged sword in persistence. Healthy competition is a powerful motivator, driving us to improve and reach new heights.

I’ve experienced this firsthand, whether weightlifting with a friend or jogging alongside someone of similar ability. In both cases, having someone just slightly ahead of me pushed me to improve and stay consistent. However, when the gap felt insurmountable—like a torpedo runner passing me on the track—it could lead to frustration and negative thoughts. The key to maintaining persistence is focusing on personal progress rather than comparisons that discourage.

Competition as a double-edged sword: It can drive improvement and personal bests but also lead to frustration and unhealthy comparisons. Finding balance is key.

The same principle applies at work. Setting up a challenge in KPIs between two high performers can motivate both to improve. However, mismatched competition—where one participant might be a god and other a pauper—can backfire. It demoralizes the weaker performer while giving hollow bragging rights to the stronger one, ultimately hindering progress.

Healthy competition fuels persistence by driving improvement. Each small victory builds momentum, transforming incremental progress into significant achievements.