Persistence is a common theme that continues to reveal itself in my thought processes.

I’m an entrepreneur so I’m naturally competitive and I want to win. This is precisely why I’ve spent so much time trying to figure out how to work efficiently, productively and effectively.

But as I explored in my essay on Persistence, it is not a sufficient condition of success. I can’t remember where exactly I read about it, but there was a science fiction writer who wrote something like forty novels without a hit. He consulted with everyone he knew because he was determined to be a successful writer.

The problem was the this writer used the same formula for creating each novel. He didn’t test different strategies or explore creative ways of doing things. He had persistence and was determined.

The missing ingredient in this equation is experimentation.

Most successful people will tell you that a large portion of their ability comes from stickability. (i.e. persistence)

But keep in mind that if something doesn’t work – you need to experiment. It will drastically increase the probability of finding your secret formula.