The Art of Persistence
Titian (Tiziano Vecellio), Sisyphus, c. 1548–1549. Oil on canvas, 237 x 216 cm. Museo del Prado, Madrid. (Credit: © Museo Nacional del Prado)
Research shows it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit. You’ve likely heard it only takes 21, but that has always been too good to be true. Most of us struggle to stay consistent because we desire quick, easy, and impressive results. However, success is rarely an overnight phenomenon; it’s built on "the little things" and the refusal to give up when reality doesn't align with the plan in our heads.
Persistence isn't necessarily about taking massive steps every day. It’s about showing up for yourself—whether that’s twice a week or once a week—over a long period of time. We aren’t talking about months; we are talking about years. If you truly show up for yourself consistently for years, you will see results.
The most significant change happens internally. Your mind and body will transform, but this is where the "lie" of persistence often trips people up: we expect visible results far too soon. True change requires a long horizon and, more importantly, it should start within you.
You should do the work for yourself, not for others to notice your effort. Whatever your goal is—whether it’s building a social media presence, achieving a bodybuilding physique, or sharpening your cognitive skills—it must be for you. The only person you really need to impress is yourself. You want to be able to say, "I am capable of doing this."
"Keep dancing even when no one is clapping."
Look at my own journey: my social media presence is far from perfect. My videos could use better lighting and improved audio. I constantly see those sharp, high-production videos with millions of views and think my montage or music alignment could be better. I strive for consistency in colors, fonts, and sizes, but I'm not there yet.
From time to time when I’m feeling I’m still not doing enough I remind myself :
You are doing more creatively now than you have ever done in your entire life.
That is all that matters. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a legacy. As long as you are creating and growing, you are winning.