I suppose the first thing we need to tackle here is, what’s the difference between tenacity and perseverance.  The last essay about getting back up is really about perseverance.  It’s about staying in the game.  It’s long term.  It’s going to occur forever. 

Tenacity is like a dog with a bone. You’ve seen it before – a dog latches onto a prized bone and refuses to let go. That’s tenacity in its purest form.

When you’re tenacious, you’re all in. There’s an intensity that radiates from your very being. Every fiber of your body is dedicated to the task at hand, much like a working dog herding sheep. You’re not just going through the motions; you’re fully committed, body and soul.

There’s no “squish” in tenacity. It’s not about being wishy-washy or half-hearted. When you’re tenacious, you’re solid, determined, unwavering. You’re the person who, when faced with a challenge, doesn’t just try once and give up. You keep at it, approaching the problem from different angles, never losing sight of your goal.

But importantly, tenacity isn’t the same as being bull-headed. It’s not about stubbornly sticking to one approach when it’s clearly not working. True tenacity involves open-mindedness. You’re willing to adapt, to learn, to try new methods. You’re like a dog circling a flock of sheep, always looking for the best way to achieve your objective.

Jimmy Buffett’s story is a perfect example of tenacity in action. He dreamed of being a singer and performer, so he headed to Nashville, thinking country music was his path. But the music industry there didn’t see his potential. Rejection after rejection piled up, with so-called “experts” telling him he didn’t have what it takes.

But Buffett didn’t let go of his dream. He knew, deep down, that he could be successful. Instead of giving up, he changed course. He moved to Key West and did something truly remarkable – he created his own genre of music that nobody else in the world was doing.

This move was pure tenacity. Buffett didn’t just persist in the face of rejection; he adapted. He looked at his goal from a different angle. When the traditional path didn’t work, he blazed his own trail. He held onto his dream with the grip of a dog with a bone, but he was open-minded enough to find a new way to make it happen.

The result? Buffett became a musical icon, creating a sound and lifestyle brand that’s uniquely his. His “Margaritaville” state of mind resonated with millions, proving those Nashville experts wrong. By being tenacious, by refusing to give up but also refusing to be bull-headed, Buffett achieved far more than he might have if Nashville had accepted him.

And he parlayed his laid-back “island escapism” lifestyle into a vast business empire that extended far beyond his music career. At the time of his death in September 2023, Buffett’s net worth was estimated at $1 billion. His Margaritaville brand, which began with a T-shirt shop in Key West in 1985, grew into a global licensing operation that brought in $2.2 billion in sales in 2022. The empire included restaurants, hotels, casinos, resorts, merchandise, and even retirement communities. Buffett held a 28% stake in Margaritaville Holdings LLC, valued at $180 million. His portfolio also encompassed real estate worth $140 million, airplanes, and stock investments. 

This is the power of tenacity. It’s not just about stubbornly sticking to one path. It’s about being committed to your dream, being “all in,” but also being willing to pivot, to innovate, to find new ways to reach your goal. Buffett’s story shows us that with tenacity, creativity, and a willingness to adapt, you can achieve great things – even if you have to invent your own category to do it.

Being tenacious means you don’t give up easily. When others might throw in the towel, you’re still there, working away. You’re the one who stays late, who gets up early, who keeps pushing when everyone else has gone home. You’re like a writer, spending days and hours editing an essay until it’s just right.

Tenacity is about persistence in the face of setbacks. It’s about getting knocked down and getting back up again, time after time. It’s about facing failure and seeing it not as an end, but as a stepping stone to success.

Now, consider the opposite of tenacity. It’s characterized by irresolution, indifference, and weakness. These traits lead to giving up easily, which is why most of the world roams around in mediocrity. Most people remain average because they lack the resolve to persist when faced with challenges. They set low expectations for themselves, content with minimal effort and second-best results.

But here’s the truth: God put you on this earth for a reason. In the grand scheme of things, you have a purpose, a role to play. And not being tenacious? That’s not an option. It’s your moral duty to be tenacious, to honor the purpose for which you were created.

Tenacity is more than just a desirable trait – it’s a moral imperative. It’s the key to overcoming personal weaknesses such as laziness, defeatism, frustration, procrastination, and lack of resolve. By cultivating tenacity, you fulfill your role in God’s plan.

In your life, be tenacious. When you find something you believe in, hold onto it with the grip of a dog with a bone. Be all in. Be intense. Be unwavering. Depending on your own unique personality, you can express this outwardly or inwardly.  That doesn’t matter. 

Be smart about it. Be open to new ideas, new approaches. Keep your goal in sight, but be flexible about how you get there.

Remember, tenacity isn’t just about not giving up. It’s about not giving up intelligently. It’s about knowing when to push harder and when to step back and reassess. It’s about having the wisdom to know the difference between persistence and stubbornness.

Embracing tenacity means developing the mental fortitude to recover from failure, to get back up, brush off, and find new paths toward productivity and accomplishment. It’s about making conclusive choices guided by an ethical compass and sticking to them, even when easier options present themselves.

So cultivate tenacity. Be like that dog with a bone. Hold on tight to your dreams, your goals, your beliefs. But also be willing to learn, to grow, to adapt. That’s the true essence of tenacity. And that’s how you’ll achieve great things in life. In essence, being tenacious is not just about personal success – it’s about fulfilling your God-given purpose on earth. It’s a testament to your faith and commitment to the role you’ve been assigned in this world. So, resist the pull of mediocrity, embrace tenacity, and strive to live up to the potential that God has instilled in you. It’s not just your choice; it’s your moral imperative.