Is This The Secret To Successful Blogging?

A client asked me recently about what it takes to become a full-time blogger. I could have said it was a lot of different things that make up the keys to success that I’ve learned over the last 8+ years.

But I wanted to tell him what it really is.

It’s…

Persistence.

Which is made up of…

• Stamina.
• Guts.
• Heart.
• Passion.
• And grit.

There’s a widely held belief that being a successful blogger is based on factors such as intelligence or talent; that those who have the highest brain power or write really well are the most likely to succeed.

It would seem that the spoils go to the smartest, the most trained, and the most connected.

This simply isn’t so!

Psychologists have discovered that there is an element that almost always works in tandem with brains and ability when measuring success, persistence. 

Psychologist Angela Lee Duckworth has studied the idea of passion and persistence and has come to believe that, despite any outward advantages someone may have when pursuing their goals, often times the deciding factor is grit over mental or natural ability. Her work indicates that there are greater forces at play in people who rise and achieve at greater levels.

[postgopher pid=’1′]

What Is Grit?

Grit is having passion and perseverance for long-term goals. Grit is the use of stamina and sticking to the job until your result is realized. Grit is seeing the issues at hand and utilizing resources to stay the fight over extended periods of time, much like running a marathon.

Why Does Stamina And Persistence Matter?

As the world becomes faster, more competitive, and sometimes more demanding, you must stay focused and be able to adapt quickly.

Developing persistence as a character trait elevates your coping skills, increases your self-awareness, and gives you the edge that you need to achieve in all areas of life, especially being an entrepreneur.

The best example of modern-day passion and persistence is the reality show Survivor. This show pits capable men and women against one another in hostile and deprived environments.

Contestants are vying to outwit, outplay, and outlast each other for a cash prize. Their physical and mental abilities are an asset but the spoils go to the contestants who have persistence and the ability to withstand the physical and mental abuses the longest.

Persistence isn’t something most people talk about when it comes to success, because it feels intangible and that there is no formula to follow. But there are simple actions that you can take to decrease stress, increase stamina, and outlast any issue that develops in your life.

After you develop that gutsy perspective, you will move through life with an ease that others envy. It is the glue that keeps you together when you want to take the easy way out or give up.

Persistence insists that you can and you will make it through.

3 Keys To Success To Develop More Persistence

Persistence is a character trait born of passion.

Anyone who has a willingness to do what it takes to either target and reach a goal, or withstand and weather a challenge has the potential to develop guts as a skill set.

Is there a direct path to learning how to be persistent?

Likely not, but there are certainly opportunities all around to develop more gutsiness in your life. Here are some tips to increase your grit factor:

Become anti-fragile – Gutsy people are not delicate. They don’t expect a participation trophy; they respond with strength when they must endure something they don’t care for.

Toughness comes from realizing that all people will face things they don’t want and don’t understand. Instead of reactionary responses, they focus on what needs to happen at the moment to move through.

Have a growth mindset – One of the hallmark skills that gutsy people show is a growth mindset; being open to new ways of thinking and behaving, being open to constructive criticism and hearing the word “No” are part of their personal makeup. Equally important is a willingness to stand up for something that matters.

Learn to adapt – In this life, we are going to face trouble. Survivors learn to adapt. Grit is the tool to adapt to unpleasant things.

Persistence Is the Strongest Predictor Of Future Success

Persistence is the strongest predictor of future success in an individual; it overcomes brains and ability every time.gri

Studies have proven that given a group with equal IQ scores and ability, those with grit will beat out their counterparts. Those with persistence will adapt, take direction, seek to understand and make changes to endure things that others can’t or won’t. This becomes their edge and the greatest predictor of success.

Professional athletes are a great example of learning to endure, adapt, and withstand.

Even after leaving the athletic world behind, they use the same mindset and tools in other areas of life. They outwit and outlast competitors in the marketplace because they know how to get into a zone their competitors do not.

In truth, failure is always an option. There is no guarantee that you will win, achieve, or succeed. The only thing you can control is whether you give up.

Grit makes it possible to never, ever give up as Winston Churchill said. Persistence finds the emotional wherewithal to do the next thing in front of you time and again until you make it, or come to the smart conclusion that you simply will not prevail.

Persistence is the thing that comes out of your chest when we need to fix the part of us that wants to climb into the safety of our bed and pull the covers tight.

Let’s look at why it’s important to never give up:

• Your breakthrough might be a moment away
• Your sacrifice may make a difference for generations to come
• You may be the first in your family to do this
• Your children are counting on you
• You might experience a level of success you never dreamed

Develop a mindset that is open to learning new material, adapting to change, and learning new tactics or tricks to dig deeper, to solve bigger problems.

Talk to a trusted mentor, glean wisdom from those who have gone before you, and apply that wisdom to your current situation. Keep your eyes open and be ready for the breakthroughs.

You won’t have to wait until something unexpected or harrowing happens to develop persistence if you make stretching yourself part of your everyday lifestyle.

You can develop grit by developing habits and actions that stretch you and make you grow internally and externally. And you’ll be a better blogger because of it.