Why can some people keep going, even when things get tough and others give up at the first hurdle? You might assume that you just aren’t the kind of person that can persevere but neuroscience and psychology are showing us that perseverance is a trait that we can all develop and cultivate.
Perseverance comes from the brain.
There isn’t just one area of the brain that deals with perseverance, it’s a network of different areas and neurotransmitters that communicate between each other. These systems work together to keep you focused on reaching your goal and overcoming obstacles.
The pre-frontal cortex is where planning, goal setting and self-control happen. This part of the brain is activated when you’re carrying out a task that requires persistence so it’s a crucial part of the perseverance pathway.
The neurotransmitter dopamine is the real star of the perseverance show. Dopamine is known as the ‘reward molecule’. The dopamine hit you get after you anticipate a reward and accomplish a goal makes you want to do it again. Tap into the power of dopamine, harness your reward circuit and you can create the habit of perseverance.
Building your perseverance
Your perseverance pathway is built up over time. You need to get into the habit of persevering and we all know that building a new habit takes time.
Running is a perfect way to build your perseverance:
- It’s easy to set goals. You can break runs into small and realistic goals and each time you reach one you get the reward of a dopamine hit which tells your brain that this is a good thing to do.
- You’re surrounded by others who want to improve. Having a growth mind-set and watching others work hard and be dedicated in their running will help strengthen your self-control and motivation.
- You can learn from mistakes. When a run or race doesn’t go the way you planned you have an ideal opportunity to turn a failure into a learning experience and this is vital for perseverance.
- You have cheerleaders. Even cheering for yourself helps to sharpen the dopamine response so always congratulate yourself for any achievement. If there are others cheering you on too then even better. You’ll find all the cheerleaders you need at a 261 Club.
