The Magic and Power of Purposeful Persistence

Perseverance refers to mindless repetition of an action. An action that is not beneficial, usually. Like hitting your head against the wall over and over. Purposeful persistence is changing your approach and strategies because of what you learn from your actions while continuing to work towards the goal. Sometimes it takes purposeful persistence to find healing. It certainly takes purposeful persistence to write a book, make a marriage, raise children, or develop our own potential. The wise magician learns how to step back and take a rest when needed. The wise magician learns how to take the time to rethink the project or goal. It is also important to find ways to keep the goal in mind. People who are saving for a dream vacation and pin up their travel brochures are keeping their goal alive. Another way to keep your eye on the prize is to break the project down into doable bits and pat your self on the back when you have finished each bit. I have several steps before I start on a book, such as developing the characters and outlining the book. Then each chapter requires some steps before I actually start writing that, such as finding the hook or interesting action that will start the chapter and the cliff hanger to end it with. Perseverance and procrastination are forms of denial. But once we are clear about our dreams we can hook into the magic that is around us and with purposeful persistence reach our goals. One sign that we have hooked into that magic is that our persistence has an energy and fun about it that is absent in perseverance or procrastination. May the spark be with you.