The definition of perseverance, from a dictionary: “Persisting in or remaining constant to a purpose, idea or task in spite of obstacles.”
Unfortunately, I’ve had to persevere this week through many other “life” commitments that caused my blog to take a back seat. Yet through this week, I’ve been dialoguing daily about the importance of developing perseverance in our children, and have been convicted of this in my own life as well.
Attempting to develop a child’s understanding of perseverance in a society that tells them instant gratification is around every corner is one of the most difficult challenges of a parent. Teens today exemplify quitting as the norm, and parents feel it’s so much easier to just let them have their way. That character issue and entitlement mentality is coming back to assault us as a society.
We’ve struggled with some lack of perseverance on our home front this school year. Not following through with work expectations has been a challenge we’ve needed to attack, so I’ve been pondering perseverance and how best to raise the bar in our home.
My hubby and I strategically focus on this quality, sprinkling daily life lessons about perseverance throughout MANY conversations.
Especially during this time of the year when spring fever has hit, it’s so hard to finish strong…yes, especially for this mom.
So as we outline our plan of attack, I’ll post it if you desire, but for now, I need to dive into this topic on my own personal levels as well.
Here are some of these quotes I’m sharing with our children.
“I am of certain convinced that the greatest heroes are those who do their duty in the daily grind of domestic affairs whilst the world whirls as a maddening dreidel.
Florence Nightengale
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence (perseverance ). Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Calvin Coolidge
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison
Albert Einstein said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.
- “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.”
- “Winners never quit and quitters never win.”
- “The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” – Author Unknown
- “Be like a postage stamp – stick to one thing until you get there.” – Margaret Carty
Thanks. I needed that reminder – I feel like my “groove” got thrown off this last week by illness and more illness, then family crises and celebrations! As I watched our house and routines get messier and messier, I just wanted to give up. But the small, daily tasks, and just doing the next thing will be my focus, especially if I’m looking to my source of strength!
Btw, are you related to a Shelly in Nebraska? I didn’t realize until today, but you like very much like someone I used to go to church with!
Ah. That was a good thing for me to read tonight. Thank you.
good post, Jen! Kelly
Great post! I’ve always loved the Edison quote.
When I’m tempted to throw in the towel, I visualize Jesus on the cross. He could have quit and come down, but He didn’t. If His spirit lives in me then I’m not a quitter either. Through Him, and only through Him, I can perservere.
I really enjoyed that post and was SO glad to see someone else that worries about that, as it affects our society as a whole. I think it goes beyond teenagers, but adults as well. I teach high school students and I have the ‘overalls’ and ‘einstein’ quotes in my room. Just yesterday we had our awards assembly and I gave away two awards for ‘persistence’. It had nothing to do with GPA. It had to do with students that came to my class and were willing to work hard and do everything I asked of them. The two students that got the award were so excited and about twenty students asked me why they didn’t get it. I explained how the two award-winning students had been willing to work harder than the others. It sure had all the students talking! As teachers let me just tell you we very much appreciate any parent that has taught this character building lesson as well! Thanks. (Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble so.)…..Lori L
I’ve been pondering this a bit myself since I think discipline and perseverance go hand in hand. I have a few unfinished posts sitting in Blogger about these qualities in home managers. Um, maybe I need to persevere in finishing them.
Anyway, I think having the ability to persevere builds character. And it builds patience.
Thomas Edison had another comment about not failing, but only successfully discovering 1,200 ideas that didn’t work.
Thanks for such a nice post. I often tell myself to “keep going”. When I’m feeling paticularly discouraged, I play (sorry if this is cheesy) Garth Brooks’ “the River” loudly in my car. It has seen me thru many a trying time.
Thank you so much for this post! As a veteran homeschooler, this is still one of our biggest struggles and not just for the students. You have inspired me to be very intentional about teaching this skill.
Jen I needed to hear this today! I have been struggling a little bit with homeschooling in the respect of “am I doing enough”. Some days we over achieve and some days we under achieve! It’s nice to know I am not alone. We are pondering a part time school next year for homeschoolers. It might be just what I need. I find my biggest challenge with homeschooling is my 22 month old!!! 🙂
Kristi
A very thought-provoking post. We have struggled somewhat with this very topic with our children who are now entering adult-hood. I don’t see the same “perseverance” and dedication to accomplishments in my children that I (we) had at their age. And to me, it’s somewhat of a mystery. I feel like we’ve tried to instill that quality in them, but just don’t see it coming forth in as much as I would like. Not sure what we should be doing differently . . . or what we’re doing wrong. I guess, for us, the best way is to continue through example and encouragement.
Thanks for starting a dialogue on this subject.
Carla
Hm, thanks for a very interesting post. As a 24 year old who is now on her own and whose eyes have finally been opened to world events, and politics, it is just this attitude that has astonished me. And continues to. The “instant gratification” mindset, wanting more in return for nothing – I don’t get it, but I’ve noticed it more and more (forgive me for mentioning politics a bit here!).
Good things come to those who perservere, I firmly believe that. In middle school, my parents told me they couldn’t afford to send me to college so I would have to find my own way if I wanted a college education. In high school, I started rowing in hopes of getting a scholarship. After 4 years of hard work and perserverance (in and outside of the classroom), I got a full ride to a great school. Rowing was my job – I perservered in my studies, and worked hard in rowing to pay for my school and in order to get my degree, and didn’t let anything or anybody – no matter who they were or what they said/did, stop me. One professor told me I would never be a graphic designer. I perservered, won awards and city wide contests, met with the mayor, graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design and had zero debt. I am a professional graphic designer now, and work hard for my living. I perservere.
Sorry for the long post here, but I feel like perserverence is almost my life’s story to date. It is so important to learn this lesson, and it makes me sad to see so many in the world that haven’t.
Thanks for the great topic.
~Chelsea
Good post, from a home school mom of 21 years with four graduates and still schooling two… this is so true in my experience. My husband and I discussed the entitlement issue this morning…we are seeing it everywhere and even in our college graduates….they think they should be paid like a veteran…but they are learning.
I have many of these quotes posted around my house and have posted them with dry marker on my children’s bathroom mirrors.
I also fall so short at time in this area….I usually have to walk out what I am teaching my children.
Enjoyed,
Janette
Great reminder – and well written! thank you for pouring out a bit of your personal struggle to encourage me! *Blessings*
We always reminded our kids of the “try try again” quote. It was in the Bill Bennett’s Book of Virtues book that we used to read to our kids. Fantastic book!
Great post, Jen!
Wonderful post, Jen!