Building Character Perseverance

Perseverance “With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable.” ~ Thomas Foxwell Buxton

Perseverance is… Trying and trying again; not giving up Also known as “stick-to-it-ness” ~ sticking with something until it is finished Commitment, hard work, patience and endurance Being able to bear difficulties calmly without complaint

The Little Engine That Could Remember the Little Engine That Could? “I think I can, I think I can…” That’s perseverance!

Perseverance in Sports Chantal Petitclerc lost both of her legs when a heavy barn door fell on her at the age of 13. In her first wheelchair race at 18, she came in last. With her goal in mind, she has gone on to win 13 Gold medals for Canada in the Paralympics.

Perseverance in Sports Lance Armstrong, won the 3500 km Tour de France bicycle race 7 times after surviving a grueling battle with cancer. “Giving up was never an option.” ~Lance Armstrong

Perseverance in Sports Derek Redmond, Olympic runner from England falls due to an injury during the 400 m semi-finals. He gets up and completes the race with the help of his father.

Who Am I? “I have missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I have lost almost 300 games. On 26 occasions I have been entrusted to take the game winning shot... and missed. And I have failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed. “

Michael Jordan Michael Jordan

Perseverance in History Ludwig Von Beethoven overcame his deafness and composed his famous 5 th Symphony. Da da da dum…..

Perseverance in History Harriet Tubman walked thousands of miles through bad weather and rough terrain; avoiding slave hunters in her personal quest to help thousands of black slaves escape to the north.

Who Am I? “I think and think for months and years. 99% of the time the conclusion is false. The 100 th time I am right.”

Albert Einstein Albert Einstein the world’s most famous scientist was diagnosed with a learning disability as a child. Rising above this, he went on to discover the theory of relativity ~ E=mc2.

Who Am I? “Most of the important things in the world are accomplished by people who kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.”

Thomas Edison - Inventor Had to try over 1000 combinations before he found the right materials for the light bulb. “The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time.”

Who Am I “We can do anything we want if we stick to it long enough.”

Helen Keller The first deaf and blind person to earn a University degree. She became an American author, a lecturer, and a political activist fighting for the rights of women.

Who Am I I participated in a talent contest on TV. My talent is singing. I was told that I should go back to singing on a cruise ship. Recently, I suffered a terrible loss when some of my family members passed away.

Jennifer Hudson In spite of not winning American Idol and the tragedy of losing members of her family, she has persevered and won Oscar and Grammy awards for acting and singing.

How might you demonstrate perseverance? Try a sport that may be challenging or new to you. Keep trying until you succeed!

How might you demonstrate perseverance? Spend time practising your music. If you do not succeed right away, keep trying until you achieve your goal.

How might you demonstrate perseverance? When doing your homework, keep trying if you don’t understand right away, or get help. Avoid making excuses like; “I don’t get it” or “This is boring” to avoid completing your task.

How might you demonstrate perseverance? If there is something that you really want, start saving your money or allowance and see if you can buy it yourself, or contribute to it.

How might you demonstrate perseverance? Adopt a “DON’T QUIT” attitude so when you do not succeed right away at something, you don’t get discouraged and quit ~ Instead you stick to your goal and try again.

“The race is not always to the swift, but to those who keep on running.” ~Anonymous

A Canadian Hero Terry Fox showed perseverance and courage in running 3339 miles in his Marathon of Hope raising money for cancer research. Today millions of people around the world continue his dream.

Test Your Perseverance I believe in myself. I have clear goals. I know where and how to improve. I bounce back from disappointment. I can adapt well to change. I focus on and complete projects. I can take unpopular actions when I believe something is right.

You Can Do It! "Follow your dream...take one step at a time and don't settle for less, just continue to climb. Follow your dream...if you stumble, don't stop and lose sight of your goal, press on to the top...For only on top can we see the whole view, can we see what we've done and what we can do, can we then have the vision to seek something new...Press on, and follow your dream." -- Amanda Bradley