Do you know what the one word answer is? Persistence.

The seminar leader, Jeremy D. Brown, discussed the seven levels of awareness.  The lowest level is Animal (Reacting to everything that happens and everything in the environment.  All creatures are structured to react…just enough). The fifth level, Discipline, is where most people get stuck. Why?  Because they can’t give themselves a command and then follow it. The hightest level is Mastery — it is truly responding…calmness of mind in all circumstances…understanding at a high level through experience.

Awareness creates understanding which then leads to results. Obviously, you want to be at a high level if you want success.

Mr. Brown then referred to Chapter 9 of Napoleon Hill’s classic Think and Grow Rich to focus on persistence. A discussion of what Dr. Hill describes as your own “persistence inventory” followed.  There are 15 weaknesses that Mr. Hill asks you to measure yourself against. I’ll highlight just a few of them here.

- Failure to recognize and to define clearly exactly what one wants.

- Lack of interest in acquiring specialized knowledge.

- Indecision, the habit of “passing the buck” on all occasions, instead of facing issues squarely.

- Weakness of desire due to neglect in the choice of motives that impel action.

- Lack of organized plans placed in writing where they may be analyzed.

How do you measure up against just these five weaknesses?

Dr. Hill later outlines in four simple steps how to develop persistence.  He asserts that these steps are essential for success in all walks of life. They are:

1. A definite purpose backed by burning desire for its fulfillment.
2. A definite plan, expressed in continuous action.
3. A mind closed tightly against all negative and discouraging influences, including negative suggestions of relatives, friends, and acquaintances.
4. A friendly alliance with one or more persons who will encourage one to follow through with both plan and purpose.

For more information on the works of Napoleon Hill please refer to the Napoleon Hill Foundation. There you may subscribe as I do to the Thought For The Day.

If you’d like to attend a weekly webinar of personal development subjects that may help you create a mindset for success visit my review page  for The 7 Figure Marketing School.