Persistence

“Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent.”
– Steve Martin

I always thought Steve Martin was one of the most talented people in the world, which goes to show how his persistence and drive to be a better comedian, actor, musician, and visionary in the film industry has contributed to the very icon we see today.

I’ve also always believed in this philosophy: do one thing for a little time (5 minutes each day) for a long time (years and years) and you can accomplish just about anything.

Reflection

From building a home to writing a book, the hardest part is getting started. We find ourselves so concerned with finishing a task when all we need to do is just get started.

I like to compare persistence to a long arduous hike to the top of a mountain, you see the destination, you know how to get there, it just takes one step at a time and the drive to keep going.

Any difficult task can be broken down into smaller parts, which can be broken down into even smaller parts.

Elia M Ramollah has a beautiful quote for this: “Solve the big problems inside the small ones. And it is from small issues that a pattern can be shaped in solving the big ones.”

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language’s eighth definition of Persistence is my favorite: The continuance of an effect after the cause which first gave rise to it is removed.

So, even when the motivation to start something difficult and the perseverance to keep at it dissipates, we continue anyway, like Rocky Balboa’s drive to be the greatest heavyweight champion, it was the process of pushing through that was the win, not the result.

I found myself with this desire to write years ago but didn’t know where to start. Funny enough, the thing I was avoiding at the time (social media) happened to be just the outlet for this desire.

Now, I write each day, in the smallest and grandest of ways, whether in a gratitude journal or adding to a novel about space travel (see a sneak peak at the bottom).

All it took was a combination of persistence and forgiveness. If I couldn’t forgive myself when I fell off track then I wouldn’t ever get back to it.

Encouragement

For anyone looking to write more, I encourage us to stay persistent and write down our feelings, or a bullet list the day.

Just carrying around a small notepad and pen to remember things is a great start.

Writing has a host of benefits over typing or tapping. When we type, we use our fine motor skills in a more limited way than when we write by hand.

Using a pen and paper is one of those things to help improve memory because it offers a deeper sensory experience than touching a keyboard or piece of glass. 

Lastly, do what you love, and do it every day. Even if it’s for 5 minutes. Even if it’s just for you.

Links

1. How long does it take to form a new habit?
2. Here’s Why You Remember Things Better When You Write Them Down
3. Advice from Steve Martin
4. How to Solve Big Problems
5. 6 Effective Ways to Become Persistent

Extra Extra

So, that novel about space travel I was talking about? Well, it’s still in the works, but it’s called Enrail, and here’s a little sneak peak:

I’m currently staring into space from the Enrail District Office #615 as I finish up some last-minute work on a Titan Holding shipment long overdue for pickup.

The Outworld Order has taken control of our shipment center on the small Saturn moon, Dione and now we have to do as the Order says or we jeopardize our operation shutting down. Of the 82 moons, the Order has pretty much seized half, retaining over 80% control of the outer solar system.

All that talk about the Empire in those Star Wars movies the first colonies used to fantasize about is now overwhelmingly real here in the year 3045. We are one of thousands of hyperspace shipment centers, what the hell would the Order want with our operation? An unrealistic acquisition for the Order, yet our district’s president, Kilean Enrail willingly sold the operations for under 2.3 million Zeitcoin.

The fact is, this is going to be a long week ahead and I am too tired to handle it. The newest transmitters came in from Mars and we haven’t even had a chance to test them on the hyperspace station in the Xena District office, the busiest station this side of the cluster by far. And with the Order breathing down my neck, taxing every load, I won’t get a break to save my life, if it’s worth saving anyway.

You see, the Order has a value generation on every citizen in the solar system, it can be very high, very low, or, well, not worth anything at all. My value generation is -564 to be exact, continually decreasing every day because of all the damn debts I owe to the damn Outworld Order. At this point, there’s an implausible price on my head and undeniable control of my possessions.

At our Enrail District, we have about 300 or so Titan shipments every day, each handled by our robotics fleet. Every order is taken, processed, and delivered in less than an hour. With our operation, we rake in more than 230,000 Zeitcoin a month, which for its size is quite impressive. My role in this lucrative business shouldn’t be understated either, I’ve helped secure over 130 contracts in the past 5 years. The top “sales slave” in our district, but the Order is ready to take me to court over my damn value generation amount.

The truth is, I have a plan, a strong ass will, and a modified Howletzer Cruiser ready to go within the next week. Let’s just hope I can slip by, pay my debts, and find a planet outside the Order until it’s time to escape.

And speaking of escape, it’s quite crazy how much all those movies and books blow escape out of proportion, all it takes is the right timing…