The Persistent Decision - The Traveler's Gift 7

The Traveler’s Gift

by Andy Andrews

Seven Decisions that Determine Personal Success 7

© 2002 Andy Andrews

THE PERSISTENT DECISION

I will persist without exception.

Knowing that I have already made changes in my life

that will last forever, today I insert the final piece of

the puzzle. I possess the greatest power ever bestowed

upon mankind, the power of choice.

Today, I choose to persist without exception.

No longer will I live in a dimension of distraction, my focus

blown hither and yon like a leaf on a blustery day. I know

the outcome I desire. I hold fast to my dreams.

I stay the course. I do not quit.

I will persist without exception.

I will continue despite exhaustion. I acknowledge the fact

that most people quit when exhaustion sets in. I am not

“most people.” I am stronger than most people. Average

people accept exhaustion as a matter of course. I do not.

Average people compare themselves with other people.

That is why they are average. I compare myself to my

potential. I am not average. I see exhaustion as

a precursor to victory.

How long must a child try to walk before he actually

does so? Do I not have more strength than a child?

More understanding? More desire? How long must I work

to succeed before I actually do so? A child would never ask

the question, for the answer does not matter. By persisting

without exception, my outcome—my success—is assured.

I will persist without exception.

I focus on results. To achieve the results I desire,

it is not even necessary that I enjoy the process.

It is only important that I continue the process with

my eyes on the outcome.

An athlete does not enjoy the pain of training;

an athlete enjoysthe results of having trained.

A young falcon is pushed from the nest,

afraid and tumbling from the cliff.

The pain of learning to fly cannot be an enjoyable

experience, but the anguish of learning to fly is

quickly forgotten as the falcon soars to the heavens.

A sailor who fearfully watches stormy seas lash his vessel

will always steer an unproductive course. But a wise

and experienced captain keeps his eye firmly fixed

upon the lighthouse. He knows that by guiding his ship

directly to a specific point, the time spent in discomfort is

lessened. And by keeping his eye on the light, there never

exists one second of discouragement.
My light, my harbor, my future is within sight!

I will persist without exception.

I am a person of great faith. In Jeremiah, my Creator

declares, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans

to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you

hope and a future.”

From this day forward, I will claim a faith in the certainty

of my future. Too much of my life has been spent doubting

my beliefs and believing my doubts. No more! I have faith in

my future. I do not look left or right.

I look forward. I can only persist.

For me, faith will always be a sounder guide than reason

because reason can only go so far—faith has no limits.

I will expect miracles in my life because faith produces

them every day. I will believe in the future that

I do not see. That is faith. And the reward of this faith

is to see the future that I believed.

I will continue despite exhaustion.

I focus on results.

I am a person of great faith.

I will persist without exception.