Leading often involves tough, uphill battles and impossible odds. Let’s face it, we all want to quit sometimes. In the midst of misery, despair, depression, failure, pain, surprise, problems, emergencies—we are all tempted to throw in the towel. Occasionally, quitting is the best option, but more often it’s the path of least resistance. Most organizations value sticking with the hard things as a leadership trait, and look for examples of it in their top-level hires. A leader needs a certain quality of character to continue despite the challenges: perseverance.
Do you continue doing something, despite difficulty or delay in achieving success? That’s perseverance. It’s the ability to continue the effort in the face of failure, opposition or obstacles. Perseverance is also a biblical trait of leadership. Every leader will find a moment where they have to answer the question for themselves: “Why am I not going to quit?” The Apostle Paul teaches in Philippians 3:13-14, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal…” Perseverance is a spiritual trait with practical and professional benefits. How might you develop the skill of perseverance—pressing on—in your leadership, so that you can minimize quitting and power through difficulties more effectively?
Remember why. The reason you began something important is likely the core of the reason not to quit it. If the reason was big enough for you to initiate, ask yourself if it is a driver for perseverance. Very little of value in life or leadership is connected to what brings us personal success or satisfaction. If your motivation is simply to live your best life, you’ll likely spend your career sidestepping difficulties and challenges to take the easiest path forward. The most valuable paths, though, tend to be the tougher ones. They grow your skills, they give you useful experience, they lead to important relationships and they improve your resiliency—the ability to bounce back from hard circumstances.
The “why” for a Christ-follower is the glory of God. Romans 8:28 reminds us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” This verse completes a section of Scripture that talks about suffering. It’s a call to remember the “why” of life and leadership. Personally and spiritually, we will face challenges and difficulties. The Christian can fall back on the bigger plan and picture that God has in the midst of these trials. When tempted to quit, first ask, “What is God doing here? Is He wanting to teach me? Use me? Help me?” Does God desire your persistence instead of giving up? When in the middle of something and wanting to quit, consider the spiritual lesson that may be at play. Romans concludes this passage with encouragement: “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
Take a step. Leaders sometimes quit because they feel stuck. Feeling stuck and being stuck are two different things. Often the simplest thing you can do to persevere is take a step, however small. Momentum is fueled by motion—once you are moving you tend to continue moving. Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” The idea is that when a man’s heart is seeking God, the steps he takes will be ordained by God. Taking a step then is not a matter of fear but of focus. A leader doesn’t need to be afraid of taking a step because it might be the wrong one. Rather if his focus is on God, his steps will be “ordered” or “established”—literally planned-in-advance by God
We sometimes quit because the next step looks too difficult, or too large, or even a step backwards from where we believe we should go. The Bible is filled with examples of steps taken that brought leaders face-to-face with challenges. Moses’ steps brought him to the Red Sea. Paul’s steps brought him to the prison gate. Jonah’s steps brought him to the mouth of the great fish. Joshua’s steps brought him to the wall of Jericho. Daniel’s steps brought him to the lion’s den. In each case, those steps eventually led to a God-honoring way forward. Don’t be so concerned as to where a step might lead, but rather if you are willing to have your steps ordered by God. If so, then confidently take one.
Adopt a mindset. “I will not quit” is not a personal affirmation. It’s a mindset. Someone who perseveres continues despite setbacks. Adopting a mindset means focusing on thoughts that lead you toward your goals, and pressing out thoughts that are negative and lead you toward quitting. Think about gains you are making, however small. Think about what you can be grateful for, despite setbacks. Think about habits you can adopt that will help you to persevere. Think about how you might encourage others—and yourself—through tough times. A mindset is a conscious choice to put your thoughts to work for you in a positive way. The Apostle Paul knew that when we faced opposition or difficulty we would tend to let our minds wander. He taught in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.”
Emulate a leader. In a horse race, many facets of the course motivate the horse. Sometimes it’s the jockey. Other times it’s the noise of the crowd or the sight of the finish line ahead. However, horse race enthusiasts will tell you that the greatest motivation in a horse race is the other horses. They run their best race because they’re trying to keep pace with the other horses around them. In many cases, a horse will be much more persistent in a crowded field than he will alone. The people around you, above you and below you who refuse to quit—look to their example and the facets of their character on display through perseverance. What are they focused on that keeps them going? What is their attitude toward challenge? How do they keep a smile on their face and optimism in their voice despite difficulty? If it isn’t obvious, then ask them.
Several times in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul charges the reader, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Philippians 3:17). If anyone had reasons to quit, it was Paul. He wrote in 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, “I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and again. Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked…” When you want to quit, it’s often a great inspiration to learn from someone else who didn’t quit, even when circumstances were at their worst.
Let’s face it, we all want to quit sometimes. In the midst of misery, despair, depression, failure, pain, surprise, problems, emergencies—we are all tempted to throw in the towel.