81 per cent of people say they want to write a book.

Did you know that stats say that less than 2% ever will?

So the top 1% leave the other 99% in the dust.

Why?

Because for most people looking to achieve a goal, there is knowledge to be gained and lessons to be learned before success can be achieved.

People give up before they ever reach the goals they say they want to achieve because they are not willing to persevere.

They’re not willing to hang in.

They’re not willing to keep doing the work when it gets hard.

They aren’t yet receiving the accolades, the money and/or the adoration they want, and they take that as a sign that they are NEVER going to make it.

But according to best-selling-author/business expert Malcolm Gladwell, it takes approximately 10,000 hours or approximately ten years of deliberate practice to become an expert.

It’s not easy! And the fact is that only about 4% of businesses last that long.

And I’m not so sure it really does take all that long, anyway. But 6 or even 12 months seem like forever. Yes?

So, how do you become part of that 4%?

Through perseverance.

Here are my top ten tips for Persevering:

1. Know your why. What is your compelling reason for wanting to achieve your goal?

2. Be passionate about it. If you aren’t passionate about it you won’t stick with it.

3. Commit to achieving it. Commitment leads to action, whether it’s writing a book, creating a course, filling up your coaching program, or whatever.

4. Visualize having achieved your goal and what that would feel like. This helps to establish belief.

5. Create a plan to achieve it. Without a plan, or at least a cursory outline or mindmap, it’s easy to get lost in the weeds.

6. Be flexible in the path, but steadfast in the goal. Flexibility gives you options on how you are going to get there.

7. Acknowledge your accomplishments along the way. Some goals take years to achieve, that’s why it’s important to acknowledge each step accomplished as you go along.

8. Surround yourself with creative people who support you and believe in you. There will setbacks and days when it is difficult to persevere; that’s when you need backup and support.

9. Take care of yourself. It’s difficult to persevere if you’re stressed out, exhausted or sick.

10. Find joy in every day. It may be a while until you feel gratification from the goal, so make sure to enjoy something daily.

And then there’s my secret weapon when all else fails. It’s a quote that I fall back on when I want to quit:

When you’re going through hell, keep going!
~ Winston Churchill