Hi Everyone,

I love my driving time. You see this is the time that I use for musing. For those of you wanting a city-wide warning when I am on the road, don’t worry, I am able to multitask *wry smile*.
 
This morning as I was driving between client meetings, I was thinking about tenacity. So much has been said and written about resilience and I agree that it is an important quality to develop. But what about the quality of tenacity – or being tenacious? To me, this is a much neglected subject.
 
Over the last year, I have found myself often saying to my clients, “I am not a patient lady, but I sure am tenacious!” I am known, sometimes teased, for my long sales cycles and determination to get buy-in across the business with my clients. On occasion, I have wondered if this is a good thing. On reflection I think it is.

The Internet reveals that to be tenacious is: “to be persistent”, “to hold fast to something” or “to hold together firmly.” I like the sound of these definitions. On the negative side, it refers to: “stubbornness” or “clinging to another object or surface”.  I would hope that none of my clients experience me as clingy or stubborn, but I would also hope that they see me as a trusted advisor who will patiently pursue the developmental objectives with them and their teams until a satisfactory outcome is achieved.

So how could you develop this quality?

Firstly, I think that personal ownership for something provides the foundation for tenacity. If I don’t have anything personally vested in a project, job, hobby or relationship – well then I will find it easy to let it go. However, when I am personally vested in something – I am there for the long run no matter how tough it gets.

Secondly, choose your battles wisely. I have learnt that I cannot hold fast to everything.  I find myself having to quantify the benefits of holding fast and pursuing something versus the costs. If it is costing me more than it may yield (not just from a monetary perspective, but emotionally as well) I will let it go.

Lastly, I set my sights on the goal. When you are in the middle of a negotiation or project – you have to keep your eyes on the goal (sometimes referred to as the prize).  This will carry you through the challenges.

So my parting questions for you this week are:

• In which area of your life do you need to show greater tenacity?
• What are the goals that you have in mind and how do you keep your sights set on them?

Have a lovely week!

Rachel