Think and Grow Rich

by Napoleon Hill

Persistence is a state of mind, so it can be cultivated. Like all states of mind, persistence is based upon definite causes, including: 1. DEFINITENESS OF PURPOSE. Knowing what you want is the first and, perhaps, the most important step towards the development of persistence. A strong motive forces you to surmount many difficulties. 2. DESIRE. It is comparatively easy to acquire and maintain persistence in pursuing the object of intense desire. 3. SELF-RELIANCE. Belief in your ability to carry out a plan encourages you to follow the plan through with persistence. (Self-reliance can be developed through the principle described in Chapter 4 on autosuggestion). 4. DEFINITENESS OF PLANS. Organised plans, even though they may be weak and entirely impractical, encourage persistence. 5. ACCURATE KNOWLEDGE. Knowing that your plans are sound, based upon experience or observation, encourages persistence; ‘guessing’ instead of ‘knowing’ destroys persistence. 6. COOPERATION. Sympathy, understanding and harmonious cooperation with others tend to develop persistence. 7. WILLPOWER. The habit of concentrating your thoughts upon the building of plans for the attainment of a definite purpose leads to persistence. 8. HABIT. Persistence is the direct result of habit. The mind absorbs and becomes a part of the daily experiences upon which it feeds. Fear, the worst of all enemies, can be effectively cured by forced repetition of acts of courage. Everyone who has seen active service in war knows...