There are many ways to do fine work. One approach is to build on a talent, develop a technique and demonstrate the tenacity required to deliver the desired results.
Talent and technique can take somebody a long way. But sometimes it is tenacity that gets them over the line. There are several definitions for tenacity. These include the following:
The ability to be persistent and perform superb work in tough situations.
This definition comes with a proviso. A person may demonstrate tenacity in certain situations but not in others. They are more likely to show it when doing tasks where they have the attitude and ability to do superb work.
Different people develop tenacity in different ways. Let’s explore some of these approaches.
Some people seem to
have natural tenacity
Some people seem to have natural tenacity when doing certain kinds of work. They may be helping a troubled person, solving a maths problem, playing a sport, leading a team or doing another activity. One person expressed this in the following way.
“I have always loved doing this activity. I enjoy setting a goal, making a plan and then working through the tasks.
“There are occasions when I need to tackle challenges. Whilst I keep following my disciplines, sometimes I need to do something special to solve the problem. This can be very satisfying.”
Let’s return to your own life and work. If you wish, try exploring the following questions.
What are the activities in which you seem to have natural tenacity? How do you plan ahead before doing the activity? How do you then translate the tenacity into action? What are the disciplines you follow?
What do you do when meeting a challenge? How do you buy time to think? How do you decide on your chosen way forwards? How do you then aim to perform superb work?
People who have talent and tenacity in a certain area can sometimes outstrip others may be more gifted. As the old saying goes in sports:
“Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Some people choose
to develop their tenacity
Different people do this in different ways. Some athletes, for example, choose to test themselves in increasingly challenging situations. This can help them to develop their tenacity and apply it when it matters.
Other people take other routes. Some choose to test themselves physically or psychologically. Some choose to explore different experiences and widen their repertoires. One person described their chosen route in the following way.
“Nowadays I work in a hospice and, contrary to some beliefs, the work can be uplifting as well as challenging. People who are dying can teach us a lot about living.
“Originally I wanted to be a doctor but I am also dyslexic. Today there are more pathways into medicine for such people, but in then there were many barriers. I had lots of fighting spirit, however, and decided to test myself in some tough situations.
“During my early twenties I worked in orphanage next to a war zone. I then moved to working with drug addicts, alcoholics and in a psychiatric unit for criminals.
“These experiences taught me how to stay calm and do what works when dealing with unexpected events. These are lessons I have carried over to other areas of my life.
“I feel privileged to work at the hospice. Sometimes it can be exhausting – both physically and psychologically. But am grateful for the experiences I have had in the past. They have given me the strength to do rewarding work each day.”
Let’s return to your own life and work. Looking ahead, can you think of a situation where you want to demonstrate tenacity? How can you do this in your own way? What will be the benefits of taking these steps?
If you wish, try tackling the exercise on this theme. This invites you to complete the following sentences.
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