Persistence is the Solution You Are Looking For

Persistence is the Solution You Are Looking For

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Welcome back to The Daily Mastermind with George Wright III, where each episode is your daily dose of inspiration, motivation, and education. Today, I’m in the office reflecting on some of the feedback we’ve been getting from our community—people from all over the world, especially clients and individuals whose brands we’re actively building and growing.

If this is your first time listening, let me explain the purpose of this podcast. I created The Daily Mastermind to share real strategies and life-changing lessons I’ve picked up from over 25 years of working with top thought leaders, success experts, and entrepreneurs. We all face struggles—whether it’s burnout, accountability, or plateaus—and the big question becomes: how do you respond when you hit those moments? Do you persist or take a step back?

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Why Persistence Matters

One of our core prosperity pillars is simple yet powerful: successful people act in spite of their mood. That’s what I want to talk about today.

How do you act when you don’t feel like it—when the results aren’t showing up and things aren’t going your way? The answer is persistence.

Legendary motivational speaker Les Brown put it best: “It’s not over until I win.” That mindset of persistence is the real secret to achievement. No matter your situation—business, health, relationships—the key to getting to the other side is pushing through. Persistence is the one thing that separates success from failure.

And the good news? Persistence is a state of mind. It’s not about brute strength or IQ. It’s a conscious decision—a mindset that you can develop. Just look at examples like David Goggins or any high performer who’s ever faced adversity and still pushed through.

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Persistence Is a Skill You Can Build

Let’s break this down. Persistence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you cultivate. You build it just like any other skill.

The absence of persistence? It’s usually just the result of giving in to that voice in your head that says, “Is this really worth it?” We’ve all been there. But remember: everything you want is on the other side of that voice.

Calvin Coolidge had a brilliant quote on this:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence… Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

This underscores the idea that persistence trumps talent, genius, and education. It’s a force of will, and that means it’s in your control.

So, how do you build it?

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How to Cultivate Persistence: Strategies That Work

You can absolutely strengthen your ability to persist through consistent, intentional actions. Here are some powerful strategies—many pulled from Think and Grow Rich and other success frameworks—that will help you build unshakable persistence:

1. Definiteness of Purpose

When you’re clear on what you want, it’s easier to push forward. Most entrepreneurs struggle with persistence because they’re unclear about their destination. If you don’t know what you’re aiming for, any obstacle can knock you off course. Get clear on your purpose—it’s your foundation.

2. Burning Desire

Desire fuels effort. The more you want something, the more likely you are to push through resistance. Strengthen your desire by tying it to something bigger than yourself—your mission, your family, your legacy.

3. Self-Reliance

Don’t depend on others to keep you moving. Relying on workout partners, co-founders, or external motivation can weaken your persistence. Build internal drive. The more self-reliant you are, the more resilient you become.

4. Definiteness of Plans

Having a plan gives you structure and confidence. You’re not just working harder—you’re working smarter. When you know your strategy, persistence becomes a matter of execution.

5. Learned Knowledge and Applied Skills

The more skilled you are, the more confident you’ll be. Confidence breeds persistence. Sharpen your skills and apply your knowledge—you’ll feel more prepared to face challenges.

6. Positive Support Network

Surround yourself with people who believe in you. Negativity is contagious—but so is optimism. This is the power of the mastermind: being around like-minded, success-driven individuals who reinforce your belief in yourself. If you’re not in a mastermind, create one or connect with us at The Daily Mastermind.

7. Tackle Difficult Tasks Early

Do your hardest tasks when your energy and willpower are strongest—ideally in the morning. Willpower is a finite resource, and trying to persist through tough situations when you’re mentally drained is a recipe for quitting.

8. Habits and Rituals

Daily rituals build momentum. For example, I’m so conditioned to go to the gym in the morning that I don’t even think about it anymore—I just do it. That’s the power of habit: it reduces decision fatigue and makes persistence automatic.

9. Make a One-Time Decision

Stop re-deciding every day. If you’re still debating whether to persist, you haven’t fully committed. Decide once. Commit. Then follow through regardless of how you feel.

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Real-Life Examples of Persistence That Inspire

Let’s ground this conversation in some real-world examples—stories of individuals who turned persistence into success despite overwhelming odds:

• NASA faced 20 failures out of 28 rocket launch attempts. But because they'd already committed to the mission, they kept going—until they succeeded.
  
  
• Tim Ferris was rejected by 25 publishers before The 4-Hour Workweek became a global bestseller.
  
  
• Henry Ford went broke five times before founding Ford Motor Company.
  
  
• Walt Disney, once fired for lacking imagination, faced multiple business failures and even bankruptcy before building one of the most iconic brands in the world.
  
  
• Jack London, the famous author, received 600 rejections before his first story was published.
  
  
• J.K. Rowling was a single mother living on government assistance, struggling with depression. In five years, her Harry Potter series turned her into one of the richest women in the world—all because she refused to quit.
  
  
• Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team for not being good enough. He used that as fuel to become one of the greatest athletes of all time.
  
  
• Thomas Edison made 10,000 failed attempts before inventing the electric light bulb. His famous response? “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.”
  
  

These stories are powerful because they show us that persistence is not about having the perfect plan or flawless execution—it's about continuing in the face of rejection, failure, and setbacks.

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Final Thoughts: The Real Key to Success

So where are you right now? Are you chasing the perfect solution, waiting for the right time, or looking for shortcuts?

Persistence is the answer.
Persistence is the path.
Persistence is the difference.

You don’t need to solve every problem right now. You don’t need a perfect solution. You just need to keep going.

If you continue to move forward, you’ll find a better plan, attract the right people, learn the right strategies, and unlock your next level of productivity and results.

But none of that happens unless you persist.

Persistence is a state of mind that you can build. It starts with a decision—and that decision begins today.

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A Quick Recap and How We Can Help

This podcast exists to inspire, motivate, and support you in your personal and professional journey. If you’re stuck, struggling, or simply seeking clarity, we have hundreds of episodes, resources, and a thriving community ready to support you.

Join us at The Daily Mastermind, follow along on YouTube, and connect with us on social (@dailymastermind on Instagram and Facebook).

Let us know what you're working on. Let us know what you're facing. We’re here to help.

And always remember:

It’s never too late to start living the life you were meant to live.

Persist. Decide. Move forward.

— George Wright III
The Daily Mastermind