Think and Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill) - Chapter 09:

"Will-power and desire, when properly combined, make an irresistible pair." 

Persistence is the fruit of one's willpower. It is the substance that keeps you going when you encounter temporary defeat. When the chips are down, and you feel like giving up, call on your power of persistence to move you forward towards your desire. If you give up too quickly you will never succeed. You will start many projects and never finish any of them. You will have too many loose ends dangling, unattached to any meaningful achievement. 

Persistence is a habit you can develop with practice. Whenever your efforts fall short and you stray from your goals, remind yourself of your primary desire. How badly do you want to achieve it? 

Weak desires produce weak results.

So, how can you strengthen your desire? 

At this point I'm confused. Abraham Hicks tells us that we should not be too attached to our wants and needs. Let it go, and it will come to you. Just raise your vibrational set point, and the path will reveal itself. Napoleon Hill tells us that we should desire money intensely, to the point of obsession, otherwise we will never attain the riches we desire. Make a definite plan or else the money will never come. 

So I say, make up your own mind. Find out what works for you, and make the best of it. 

Napoleon Hill says poverty is attracted to you the same way riches are attracted to you. If you abide by the rules of poverty, you will attract poverty. If you abide by the rules of wealth, you will attract wealth. If you consistently focus on poverty thoughts, your subconscious mind will be filled with poverty consciousness until you take steps to change it. Hill insists that Think and Grow Rich is the panacea to cure you of your poverty consciousness. 

Persistence helps you gain momentum. It happens slowly at first. Then gains momentum more rapidly, until it's finally unstoppable. 

When you face rejection, don't give up. Keep going. If you want to go after the high stakes, you got to have heart.

With a strong motive, you can surmount many difficulties. "Fear, the worst of all enemies, can be effectively cured by forced repetition of acts of courage."

Short cuts usually make things worse for you. Fear of criticism is your one way pass to mediocrity and failure. If you want to be successful, your desire for success must be greater than your fears. 

Take immediate action on your ideas as soon as you have them. Procrastination is a dream killer. The longer you delay taking action, the more likely your dream will die. If you persist and keep going, your lucky break will eventually come. 

Luck is not a reliable indicator of success. More often than not it leads to disappointment. 

Here's Napoleon Hill's tips to develop persistence: 

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. 

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