Stick-to-it-iveness
“Stick-to-it-iveness”
I was busy as Principal/Teacher in a small Nursery/Kindergarten school on reserve, with several assistants in training as TA’s, and I would regularly hold Professional Development days to give instruction on education, teaching methods and curriculum materials. I wanted the staff to know as much about the job and the program as possible, so that they understood and were able to fill in for me if necessary. I wanted to develop an interest in education that might blossom into a desire to train as a teacher someday.
One thing I tried to encourage was a quality of perseverance, which I had seen or heard somewhere, coined as “stick-to-itiveness”, so I would use this word often with my staff.
I think I first heard it from a pastor, in a sermon, perhaps Charles Swindoll. I decided today to look it up to see where it actually came from.
stick–to–it·ive·ness
noun \stik-ˈtü-ə-tiv-nəs\
: the quality that allows someone to continue trying to do something even though it is difficult or unpleasant
synonyms:
decidedness, decision, decisiveness, determinedness, firmness, granite, purposefulness, resoluteness, resolution, resolve
“The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are, first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”― Thomas A. Edison
“Guts are a combination of confidence, courage, conviction, strength of character, stick-to-itiveness, pugnaciousness, backbone, and intestinal fortitude. They are mandatory for anyone who wants to get to and stay at the top. It’s the last three or four reps is what makes the muscle grow. This area of pain divides the champion from someone else who is not a champion. That’s what most people lack, having the guts to go on and just say they’ll go through the pain no matter what happens.” ~Arnold Schwarzenegger
When I think of it, stick-to-itiveness is a good all around life quality to possess and it’s one I grew up with before I even met the word. I do believe hard work is wrapped up inside it, though, and not at all separate from it, as it appears to be in Edison’s quote. How can we persevere at anything without the hard work of effort, whether that effort is physical or mental? It’s all WORK…..Arnold got that right!
Spiritually speaking, we urgently need that quality of stick-to-itiveness also. This kind of endurance will see us through to the end. Paul has this to say about it:
“As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.
For I am already about to be sacrificed [my life is about to be poured out as a drink offering]; the time of my [spirit’s] release [from the body] is at hand and I will soon go free.
I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. (2 Timothy 4:5-7 AMP)
The book of Hebrews says this:
“THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us,
Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” [Ps. 110:1.]
Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.
You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood.” (Hebrews 12:1-4 AMP)
Jesus knew all about spiritual discipline and endurance to the end. What an amazing life of resolve and purpose. He changed the world. His impact still resounds today!
Ultimate stick-to-itiveness!
❤ ❤ ❤
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Amazing post 🙂 x
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Thanks! 🙂
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