If there is one lesson in life that I have learned, and that I find perhaps the most valuable for anyone attempting to accomplish any goal, it is the power of perseverance. It is the one true and dependable key to success that crosses all streams of life, from the run-of-the-mill to the out of this world, from authors to astronauts.

The brutal reality is that there are many untalented people out there who have succeeded by keeping at it, by toiling away with almost monotonous dedication, while many truly talented people have given up at one of the many potential hurdles along the path. If you are determined enough, and willing to keep working hard towards your intended goal, sooner or later success will be achieved.

Of course, it will be a lot of work, and luck and timing are factors to the pace and scale of success, but the bare bones of accomplishment boils down to dedication and diligence. Obstacles are part and parcel of life, but obstacles crumble to the endless erosion that is perseverance.

Let’s put this into the framework of an author. If an aspiring writer does not persevere through actually writing a book, there is no story to share with the world. If he or she does not persevere through the often arduous journey of getting published, no sales can happen. If the author then gives up with the even more difficult task of marketing, true success as a published author will not follow.

There are many barriers to pass through, many hurdles to cross over. It is very easy to give up at any of these, but if you truly want to achieve something in life, you must work endlessly and tirelessly until your goal is accomplished. You have to find that place within you that captures the same unwavering drive you first felt when you realised what you wanted in life, and bring that feeling out every time you work towards that goal.

Never give up or give in when it comes to your dreams. Never settle for less when you can push for more. There are always periodic opportunities to give up, while every single moment is an opportunity to persevere.