What is persistence?

  • Perseverance inspite of fatigue or frustration
  • Ability to be determined to do or achieve something regardless of any setbacks
  • Can be used to describe someone who relentlessly pursues their goals and doesn’t run when things get tough
  • A firm or abstinent continuance in course of action despite of difficulty or opposition
  • Ability to stick with something
  • Persistent means “to continue with strength”

 

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not. Nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent.” — Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of America

 

Why is persistence vital to your music career?

Persistence involves consistency in the process.  As musicians, it’s hard to be consistent because we tend to focus on the outcome more than the process. We’re more drawn with the positive feelings related to the outcomes rather than the struggles of the journey. Most of us quit during the journey before we can even reap the rewards of the outcome.

If you have a purpose and passion for your achieving your goals as a musician, persistence is the key. Setbacks happen but being driven by love for what you do will allow you to press on when things are hard. This means continuing despite opposition and difficulties. Unwavering determination and the willingness to succeed is the mindset that is going to separate us from those who make it and those who don’t. Persistent people have a goal or vision in mind that motivates and drives them. They’re often dreamers and visionaries who see their lives as having a higher purpose than simply earning a living. Their visions highly ingrained and they focus on it constantly with great emotion and energy.

Cayla shared the story of her persistent sister Joyce, who, in her 50s decided she wanted to be a Wells Fargo to be mortgage broker. The first time she went there to ask the manager to hire her, she was told she needed a real estate license, so she worked on getting her license and came back. The manager then told her she needed a particular course then she took up that course and came back. The manager then told her she needed to have experience. She then asked the manager to hire her so she can have experience but he told her no. She asked if she can have a mentor but they do not have a mentorship program.  She went home and came back the next week asking the manager for a mentorship program and she did this every week for 4 months asking him to have a mentorship program. Eventually, the manager gave her a mentor out of sheer frustration. Her sister outsold her mentor in her first week.  She proceeded to achieve so much in her career more than her talented siblings due to her tenacity and persistence.

 

Check out Produce Like A Boss’ Kris Bradley’s new free video training to show you how you can start recording and producing from home in 3 Simple Steps at profitablemusician.com/simple

 

Beth shares her own story of pursuing having a family. She married a bit late in life and after some time, when she and her husband decided to have a family, it was not easy. They did intensive fertility testing for several years and it involved a lot of hardship and persistence. They explored adoption and determined if it was a path they wanted to take. That long process involved a lot of applications to complete where they had to divulge a lot of information. It involved three home visits from a social worker and them determining if their home is suitable for raising a child. They were eventually able to adopt their eldest son, Brian, and they had 3 more home visits just to see how they were doing. They then decided to go to the process of adopting a second child. They had to wait two years before they were able to adopt their second son, Kevin. The entire infertility and adoption process took a lot of persistence from them as a couple. Seeing her life as having a higher purpose allowed Beth to persevere despite the rejection and the wait.

The 4 Keys to Persistence

  1. Believe in yourself
  2. Don’t take “No” for an answer.
  3. Be willing to put in the work
  4. Keep knocking at the door

It’s never too late to become persistent.

The 5 Ways to Develop Persistence

  1. Remember your why! Align & realign your priorities & efforts with your passion and purpose.
  2. Develop consistent habits.
  3. Repeat your efforts.
  4. Change your strategy.
  5. Rest, then come back.
Links mentioned in this episode:
Kris Bradley’s Free Training Video: profitablemusician.com/simple

Bree’s free masterclass: musiciansprofitpath.com