Each day, your decisions shape your legacy.
Persistence is the enduring and admirable ability to transform a block of granite into a sculpture. It is the belief that guides your hand as it executes the vision of your mind. Each tap of the chisel brings you closer to the completion of your design. This act of creation requires focus and time. The design and formation of your legacy follow a parallel process. Each day, your decisions shape your legacy. Every word, deed, and thought guide the chisel. There will be moments and seasons of frustration. Your time spent will appear to be time squandered. Your work in progress will seemingly resemble a slab of stone than a work of art. Even worse, there will be times when anger forces the chisel to destroy rather than to shape.
This is why it is paramount that you incorporate patience into your design. Patience is the comforting companion to persistence. Our greatest strength can quickly spiral into our greatest weakness when we lose sight of design. Our persistence may arrive at an inflection point of segueing into stubbornness. Patience helps direct persistence towards progress instead of toward excess effort. Patience whispers words of wisdom while mere persistence bellows louder without a corresponding increase in clarity of purpose. Persistence will never mature into its full potential without the mentorship of patience.
Establish a close band of advisors who will accompany you on your journey of designing your legacy. They will be your eyes when you are too tired to see pitfalls and ears to listen to your heartaches. They will extend kind words to remind you to rest when you are weary and extend a hand to lift you up when you are ready to resume your journey. Resist making a tough ride worse by compounding it with loneliness due to stubbornness and pride. Yes, it is your legacy, but one of the most important decisions you will make is how you welcomed others into its building.