http://feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/343608985-danielwhyteiii.mp3Even Mo’ Letters to Young Black MenLetter Thirteen: Be PersistentDear Y.B.M.,You might be talented. You might be educated. You might be well-trained. But, all of that means nothing if you aren’t persistent. Persistence is what sets apart people who accomplish things and who are consistently successful from people who don’t accomplish things and who are not successful on a consistent basis. If you want to make an impact in life, you must be persistent.The following verses from Scripture compel us to be persistent in all manner of things:We ought to be persistent in doing good so that we might reap the rewards. Galatians We ought to be persistent in prayer. Luke We ought to be persistent in the pursuit of righteous living. Proverbs We ought to be persistent in pursuing the things that we need and the good things that we desire. Luke Persistence is very important if you want to live a life of fulfillment and blessing. Here are three keys to developing persistence in your life.First, develop strong habits. If something in your life is working well for you, keep doing that thing over and over again. A car engine works the same way every time you turn the ignition. The car doesn’t decide that it wants to try out a new way to drive every day. Likewise, you must have strong habits if you are going to be persistent in life. Successful people don’t feel like doing everything that they do. But, they discipline themselves and do some things like getting up at 5 AM, spending an hour with God every day, and eating healthily instead of buying fast food, through force of habit.Second, develop the ability to adjust. Just because someone is persistent, that does not mean everything goes their way all of the time. Persistent people get just as many roadblocks in their way as non-persistent people. The difference is, a persistent person will adjust, adapt, and roll with the punches. While you must have strong habits to succeed in life, you must not be so rigid that you freeze up when the unexpected comes your way. And, rest assured, the unexpected will come your way.Third, develop a learning mentality. Persistent people are always pushing into new territory, and they must take the time to learn about the environments they find themselves in. A persistent person is humble, knowing that, at times, he must stop to learn about what lies ahead. Persistent people are not arrogant; they are willing to learn from others, particularly those who have walked a similar path. The knowledge you gain today may very well benefit you tomorrow.In much of life, your success is up to you and your willingness to work hard, adjust well, and learn more.Be persistent,Daniel Whyte IIIP.T. (Power Thoughts):Maya Angelou said, “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.”Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”Albert Einstein said, “It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”Robert Collier said, “Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”