Perseverance is a mindset. Just ask NASA's Perseverance.

persevere | pərsəˈvir 

continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success

Americans aren’t wired—maybe not trained—to persevere. We want things now.

Immediate gratification. Instant. Drive-thru style. Fast food.

To persevere is a mindset. It’s seeing success when it doesn’t seem imminent. There’s a reason NASA named its Mars rover “Perseverance.” The 7th-grader from Virginia who won the naming contest for Perseverance talks about adapting and persevering through setbacks in why he chose the name.

“We … will not give up,” he says.

Maybe you’re like me. Over the last few months, I’ve had some professional setbacks. Actually, I’m sure you’re like me.

Honestly, it’s been humbling and really discouraging. You know the feeling, right?

Yet I also know one thing to be true: I can persevere.

I’ve done it before. You’ve done it before, right?

And don’t you remember how the success of perseverance tastes sweeter than anything and erases the bitterness of setbacks?

After all, more than a decade after starting the project, Perseverance sends back to Earth stunning photos of Mars.

Why perseverance is one of those things that should define you

Everyone benefits from this one thing.

Have this one thing and it will be a difference maker for you. So what’s this one thing? 

Perseverance.

Perseverance sets you apart. It carries you through your professional and personal life.

I can’t stress enough how much perseverance pays off.

By definition, it’s “steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” 

It’s believing in yourself despite seemingly endless setbacks. It’s enduring through exhaustion. It’s patience through frustration. It’s not giving up despite numerous rejections.

Don’t quit. Whatever you do, don’t quit.

Don’t be defined by rejections. Don’t let someone else determine your view of what you’ll bring to an organization. View those rejections as opportunities to learn.

After you as a job hunter, or your idea as an employee, or your pitch as an entrepreneur is turned down, take some time to self-reflect. What can you change or tweak? What can you improve?

Use those lessons to inform your next actions and help shape and guide your future applications, interviews and conversations. 

Be purposeful. Seek out expertise. Read. Study. Get to work!

So how does perseverance look for you? We’re on the cusp of a new year, a time for fresh starts, do overs, new commitments, and new goals.

If it’s not already, make “perseverance” a goal of yours. 

Try it. You have nothing to lose. And everything to gain.