Purpose, Persistence, Standards, Follow Through

*  *James Watt spent twenty years perfecting the steam engine. William
Harvey worked for eight years to demonstrate how blood circulated in the
human body, then for another twenty-five years trying to convince the
medical establishment. Most of us underestimate the time it takes to
achieve anything of lasting value. You've got to be willing to pay your
dues. Cutting corners is a sign of impatience and poor self-discipline. The
secret of every breakthrough is to follow through. Albert Gray says, 'The
common denominator of all success lies in forming the habit of doing things
that failures don't like to do.' If you find yourself continually giving in
to your moods, you need to change your approach to doing things. To do
this, you must set standards for yourself that require accountability.
Suffering a consequence for not following through will keep you on track
like nothing else. Once your new standards are in place, work according to
them, not your moods; that will get you going in the right direction.
Self-discipline is a quality that's won only through practice. Successful
people have learned to do what doesn't come naturally. They are willing toconfront discomfort, distractions and doubt, and act in spite of them. R.
H. Macy, founder of Macy's department stores, failed at five different
professions-whaler, retailer, gold miner, stockbroker, real estate
broker-before he finally succeeded. When asked what sustained him through
failure after failure he replied, 'Purpose and persistence.' That's what
separates those who achieve from those who merely dream! It's why Paul
wrote: 'Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of
blessing at the appropriate time.'*