Is the success you crave taking its sweet, merry time to arrive? Knowing when to quit is one thing; knowing when to persevere another. Whether it’s the weight of obstacles you face, the setbacks and the disappointments, the successes others seem to achieve more speedily, or the critical feedback from others who are impatient to see more evidence that you’ll make it—never give up. Never, never, never give up.
Many prosperous authors’ most enduring successes took years and years to achieve. Nora Roberts is probably the most successful romance novelist on the planet. Thirty-four of her titles are sold every minute and she earns an estimated $US60 million a year! But her success didn’t happen in 6 months, a year, or even three. I’ve written a blog on the power of persistence—read it here.
She started writing back in the 1980s for Mills and Boon and then morphed into mainstream romance fiction—and other genres. So, I really shouldn’t be discouraged when the three romance novels I published this year haven’t filled my coffers with gold. Looking back, I also shouldn’t have been discouraged by the feedback that I received early in my career that “my characters were dysfunctional.” Instead of targeting Mills and Boon, the reviewer suggested that my romances seemed better suited to mainstream women’s fiction—a path Roberts also pursued.
Along with Roberts’ commitment to writing characters she can personally identify with, it is her work ethic and her prolific output that really defines her. “Whatever I’m doing, I get very guilty if I don’t put a good day’s work in. I’m not one for making excuses. I had this Catholic upbringing. I was taught to finish what you start.”
A prodigious work ethic, cultivated talent, commitment to finishing what she starts, over four different pen names, writing in a variety of genres, perseverance, and persistence are amongst the many things which have made her one of the world’s most prosperous authors.
If you’ve been following me for a while now, you’ll know I have a pen name too. Mollie Mathews where I write love stories in the romance genre. As Cassandra Gaisford, I am known as The Joyful Artist (for my happy, feel-good paintings) and by readers of my self-empowerment non-fiction, as the queen of uplifting inspiration.
Award-winning, perennial bestselling author Jodi Picoult is the author of over twenty books, the last five of which debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list. Her books have been translated into thirty-four languages, and four have been made into television movies, while another, My Sister’s Keeper, was made into a film starring Cameron Diaz.
“I had over 100 rejection letters from agents. Finally, one woman who had never represented anyone in her life said she thought she could take me on. I jumped at the chance. She sold my first novel in three months,” says Picoult.
Both authors, and others like them, wouldn’t be where they are now if it weren’t for their grit, persistence, and patient perseverance.
Similarly, many other successful people across a diverse range of occupations and industries have discovered the value of patient perseverance.
A failure at 65, Colonel Sanders was world-famous and wealthy at 80. His father was a miner and his mother worked in a shirt factory. Harland Sanders had to give up school in the sixth grade because he was so poor.
He eventually opened a small hometown restaurant in the Kentucky hills. All looked well until the highway was rerouted, and he lost everything. He was 65 at the time and faced with a future barely surviving on social security, his motivation to try again kicked in.
“My government is going to give me a hundred and five dollars so I can eke out an existence. Surely there is something I can do for myself and other people.”
Tapping into powerfully creative questions like this unlocked the key to what would be his major success—his mother’s secret chicken recipe.
Turned down by numerous restaurants at the time he turned potential failure into another inspired idea—franchises. It was an instantaneous hit, and the rest is history!
Fifty-five-year-old Rhonda Byrne’s life was at an all-time low. Twice divorced, her father had just died and her career was in crisis.
That was until, acting on an inspired thought, she created the DVD The Secret and later produced a book, both of which went on to become some of the biggest-selling self-help resources of all time.
At the heart of Rhonda’s inspirational series of products and resources is the law of attraction.
“Everything in your life is attracted to you by what you are thinking,” Rhonda says. “You are like a human transmission tower, transmitting a frequency with your thoughts. If you want to change anything in your life, change the frequency by changing your thoughts.”
1. What results are you currently experiencing that you would like to change?
2. What thoughts would you need to change?
3. What thoughts would remain the same?
4. What things supported you in maintaining a positive state of mind in the past? How could they be helpful now?
5. Can you think of some other strategies to help you keep your mind on what you want and off what you don’t want?
When you are thinking of patience, perseverance, tenacity, passion, purpose, and success who comes to mind?
Who or what can help you to manifest more persistence? How can you keep your mind on your vision, your body moving towards your dreams, your heart warmed by the joy you will feel when you finally achieve success?
Identify three ways to strengthen your persistence by strengthening your willpower and self-discipline.
This is an edited extract of Change Your Mindset: Millionaire Mindset Makeover by Cassandra Gaisford. To purchase your copy and learn how your thoughts affect your success habits read the book here: 
P.S. The image is the cover of my newest romance – a fun and flirty read set in my own part of the world, Russell, in the magical Bay of Islands. Coincidentally, it’s also where my parents spent their honeymoon and where my mum tells me I was conceived!!
Sometimes you just need an easy read with an endearing heroine and a plot that’s a nice break from reality. My new feel-good novella Crazy for You offers precisely that. The storyline follows two strangers, Liberty and Alessandro, who meet in a honeymoon hotel and take a chance on each other: big, small, life-saving and life-changing.
Perfect for weekday or weekend reading.
Reader reviews
“Very cute short story. Liberty and Alessandro are immediately attracted to each other. Well written with vivid descriptions. Good epilogue that neatly tied everything together. I enjoyed this quick read.
You might like:
NEW RELEASE: PLAY DATES: INSIGHTS AND INSPIRATION TO SPARK AND SUSTAIN YOUR CREATIVITY
WOULD YOU LOVE TO WRITE AND PUBLISH YOUR STORY?
Here are some more things you might like:
Uplifting Art by Cassandra
https://shop.cassandragaisford.com/product-category/art/
Interesting interviews: Listen to my best interviews on topics like overcoming obstacles, finding joy in adversity, following your passion to prosperity.
Online Courses:
Find Your Passion and Purpose with my best-selling self-paced course made for busy people >>
Play Dates: Online Creativity Workshop >>
Have fun, explore, enrich your life
Keynote speaking: Hire me to speak to your organization or team about Resilience, wellbeing, innovation, and motivation.
You can get more of my thoughts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
For personalized help schedule a session with Cassandra here >>
Did you enjoy this article? Subscribe to this blog and receive a free gift when you sign up for Cassandra’s newsletters and get more help to live your best life.
Posted in: Blog
Tags: mindset change, motivation, overcoming obstacles, Reinvention Stories
ABOUT CASSANDRA
I am an artist, storyteller, intuitive guide, mentor and Reiki master. All my creations are infused with positive energy , inspiration, and light. I believe in magic and the power of beauty, joy, love, purpose, and creativity to transform your life. My greatest joy is helping your realize your dreams. That makes my soul sing!
RECENT BLOG POSTS
CONTACT
P: +64 (0) 21 873 833
E: hello@thejoyfulartist.co.nz
BE SOCIAL
© 2024 The Joyful Artist
Website by Webstudio