Overview
Tenacity is a word you probably don’t think of much. I know it wasn’t for me, but when evaluating core values to round out the acronym HEART, it seemed to fit perfectly. When you think of people who hang on when letting go appears most attractive, that’s tenacity. It’s like persistence but mixed with adaptability. It’s looking at the opportunity within every challenge and obstacle.
We all love a good underdog story, and that’s what tenacious people have in common – they didn’t give up despite the long odds. Think about these well-known people: Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Oprah Winfrey, and even Michael Jordan. They faced setbacks that would make most of us give in or give up, but they didn’t. They believed in themselves, and made the world a better place because of it.
In this article, we’ll discuss 8 habits of highly tenacious people. The idea is to get your mind thinking about how you can build habits that help you see your goals through in an adaptable way. Maybe you’ll be the next underdog story!
The 8 Habits
Three tips:
- Have a crystal-clear mission and vision
- Learn from the past but lean toward the future
- Get plenty of rest and exercise
Three tips:
- Find things that harness your energy
- Have confidence and build on successes
- Have patience and celebrate milestones
Three tips:
- Push yourself to go a little further
- Commit to be the best you can at what you do
- Pause, process, pivot, but don’t quit!
Three tips:
- Minimize the stress to maximize positive energy
- A rested brain is still quite productive
- Rest yourself creatively, mentally, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually
Three tips:
- Take small risks and learn from “failures”
- Have and open mind and learn from others
- Continuously self-evaluate and solicit feedback
Three tips:
- Learn deeply the things you are passionate about
- Prioritize and focus energy on your passions
- Share your passions with others!
Three tips:
- Say thank you often
- Remember the tough times to savor the good times
- Gratitude gives you the best attitude
Three tips:
- Take care of yourself so you can take care of others
- Take deep breaths and step away briefly from emotional situations
- Set the example and ask for help when needed
Summary
Being tenacious takes determination. But before that, it takes reflection on your purpose and your objectives. I often share the five P’s of building habits themselves – Purpose, Plan, Priority, Practice, and Patience – and those fit so well with people who are tenacious.
Babe Ruth once said “It’s tough to be someone who never gives up.” As some of the habits elude to, rest is important. Pausing is not the same as giving up. Before you give up, reflect on the approach. There’s probably a way to achieve your goals that maybe you just haven’t thought of yet. Continuous feedback is one of the best ways to help you adapt and keep yourself from getting into a position of deciding whether to push on in the first place!
What are some other habits or traits of people you’ve found to be tenacious? How have they helped you succeed?
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