I was walking at the corridor of a friend's house. But something got my attention.

It got my attention so well that I stood there for more than thirty minutes. It was a child and a grasshopper. The child kept the grasshopper in a glass jar
Then had the jar covered.

I watched as the grasshopper makes effort to get out of the cage. But the jar was too strong for it to push. It tried and tried but could not.

After about fifteen minutes, it stopped. But something happened that got me thinking.
After about thirty minutes this child uncovered the jar.
I watched and expected the grasshopper to fly out in freedom.

But..... Five minutes, it was still there. Ten minutes it was still there. After waiting for about twenty five minutes and yet it did not fly out.

It was then I understood the animal had given up. Then I learnt a beautiful lesson.
A lesson on never giving up. A lesson about still giving it a try. A lesson on perseverance. 

Now listen to me leaders, I know there will be times of failure. Times when your weaknesses will seem insurmountable.
Times you gave your best expecting great results but the they are not welcoming.
Times you are trying to lead and influence people to doing good but still they won't follow.
This is my advice for you. Do not give up.

PERSEVERE, perseverance is not perseverance when you feel like doing it. But when you feel like quitting. Because, if you do not have the ability to persevere as a leader, you will definitely not be able to get to the promised land. Great things takes time. Be patient. Look at the story of the grasshopper and the jar. What do you learn from it. As for me I learn that giving up closes ones eyes to when the opportunities are ready. And hence they miss out.

Every great and successful leaders out there don't give up even if they have to die doing it. Learn this and you will be happy you did. Now the question is how can I persevere as a leader. Perseverance is hard. Not giving up is hard especially when one has put in all what he has.

But do this three things and you will find persevering easy.

1. Constantly look at the vision: The vision is the reason why you started. Constantly imagine what it means for you to achieving it. The problems it will solve and the result and effect of the achievement.

2. Look at the people who had walked that path: People who had trod that path and were successful.People who were almost giving up as you are but found a reason to continue.It will help a lot and at the end you will get inspired to keep moving.

3. Keep on believing: Never allow your faith to die. The faith you had when you started out. The faith that kept you moving with joy. Never let it die. For once it does, giving up is inevitable.

Thanks for reading.