How to Stay Persistent? A Guide and A Mindfulness Journey to Nurturing Persistence

Hello everyone, it’s Shan Mei.

I’m excited to bring you a promised guide on how to foster persistence. If you’re new to my blog and interested in the backstory, feel free to check out my previous post: My Personal Experience with Persistence: Understanding Its Importance and Challenges.

I’ll be the first to admit that persistence and self-discipline are not my strong suits, so I really get how tough it can be to develop these traits. That’s exactly why I wanted to create this guide—not just for you, but as a way for us to grow together and become better versions of ourselves. I’ve researched some articles and websites for tips on becoming more persistent and self-disciplined. While they offer some good advice, they often feel a bit superficial, like they’re just scratching the surface.

Most resources will give you a quick fix or a few brief pointers, but I’m here to dive deeper. This guide is all about providing you with a comprehensive, first-hand look at how to truly foster persistence. If you’re ready for that kind of commitment, stick with me, and let’s embark on this journey of self-improvement together!

Take a Deep Breath and Contemplate Why You Want to Be Persistent

Find a quiet moment and merge your reflections into a sense of purpose. (Pexels.com)

First, let’s find a quiet moment. Allow yourself to relax deeply and sink into a state of calm awareness. Then, you’ll be finding and understanding your motivation, the internal flame that propels you towards your goals.

Let’s gently explore some questions to help clarify your thoughts. Give yourself permission to ponder each one without rushing:

• Reflect on your journey so far. What have you experienced?
• Recall moments of impersistence. What triggered these, and what were the consequences?
• Recall moments of persistence. What triggered these, and what were the outcomes?
• How have these experiences with persistence made you feel?
• Do you have specific goals or dreams? What are they?
• Consider how persistence could help you achieve these dreams. In what ways?

Now, take a broader view of your life. Who are you, and where are you heading? What do you truly want, and why do you want it? Gather and allow these reflections to merge into a coherent sense of purpose. This is why you want to be persistent. This understanding will serve as your anchor of mind, stabilizing and guiding you on your journey toward persistence.

Anxiety Can Be an Enemy of Persistence and Self-Discipline

Anxiety can be an enemy in your journey of persistence. (Pexels.com)

A little bit of anxiety can help us plan better, prepare more thoroughly, and strive for the best outcomes. But letting anxiety dominate you? That’s a whole different story.

Take an experience of mine, for instance: Once, all my work for four different classes was due on the same day. Realizing this pile of tasks made me incredibly anxious. Overwhelmed by the anxiety, I found myself procrastinating, which only made things worse. I ended up really frustrated with myself for lacking self-discipline, which, in turn, spiked my anxiety as the deadlines loomed closer. This heightened anxiety then led to even more procrastination, trapping me in a negative cycle. If I hadn’t succumbed to the anxiety, I would have had enough time to complete everything at a more manageable pace.

Here’s another example: I love art and plan to pursue a career in it. I know it requires continuous learning and practice to succeed. I have big goals, but I often find it hard to stay on track. Distractions are everywhere. I’m anxious about not having enough time to improve my skills and worried about my future in art. This anxiety sours my mood, making it tough to keep up my passion and persistence.

Can you relate to these situations?

It’s okay to feel a bit of anxiety—it can be a motivator. What’s not okay is letting it overwhelm you. Staying positive is important, even when acknowledging your struggles with self-discipline. Let go of past mistakes and focus on moving forward. Don’t fall into the anxiety trap. Remember, everyone has weaknesses and makes mistakes. Be kind to yourself. A positive mindset is not just better; it’s essential for this journey of persistence.

Be Patient, No Rush, Transform Yourself Step by Step

Keep moving forward step by step and you'll see the sunrise. (Pexels.com)

We all have dreams or big goals, and we tell ourselves to stay persistent to achieve them. But there’s no need to rush. Break your big dream into smaller, manageable goals. Think of them as steps on a staircase that will lead you to your destination.

A dream is a long-term goal. It demands a ton of dedication and the payoff is often way down the road. Waiting so long for a reward can start to wear down your enthusiasm, especially when distractions come knocking. Plus, the uncertainty of whether it’ll all pay off can make you anxious and hesitant.

That’s where breaking down your major goal into smaller ones really makes a difference.

Let’s say your dream is to become a famous singer. You might break this into several smaller goals like:

• Finding a great vocal coach
• Practicing your singing daily
• Learning music theory
• Staying healthy and protecting your voice

You can even break these down further. For example, “practice singing” could become:

• Practice this vocal technique for 30 minutes
• Sing this particular song 10 times through

Setting and achieving these short-term goals can quickly recharge your motivation and help keep your passion alive. Plus, focusing on immediate tasks can keep you from overthinking the future.

Additionally, if you find it tough to get moving, breaking tasks into smaller chunks can make them feel more manageable. Take, for example, a hefty 396-page music history textbook. The thought of reading it cover to cover might seem daunting, but what about just one page? That sounds doable, right? Often, the hardest part is just getting started. Tell yourself to read just one page, or maybe even just open the book and read the first sentence. Once you make that initial effort, you might find it’s not so hard after all, and you could even end up reading more than you planned!

Finally, and importantly, each small goal you achieve can build up your joy and confidence. As your confidence grows, you trust in your ability to finish the tasks. This newfound confidence can help reduce anxiety and foster a more positive outlook as you continue on your path.

And that brings us to the end of our journey today. I hope you found this guide not just informative, but also inspiring as you work towards nurturing your persistence.

Remember, the path to achieving your dreams can be challenging, but hold firm to your anchor of mind. Stay positive, don’t let anxiety hold you back, and keep moving forward step by step. Eventually, you will reach your destination.