Perseverance

by Margaret J. Wheatley, Asante Salaam (Illustrator), Barbara Bash (Illustrator)

In this inspiring and beautifully illustrated book, bestselling author Margaret Wheatley offers guidance to people everywhere for how to persevere through challenges in their personal lives, with their families, at their workplaces, in their communities, and in their struggles to make a better world. She provides hope, wisdom, and perspective for learning the discipline of perseverance.

Wheatley does not offer the usual feel-good, rah-rah messages. Instead, she focuses on the situations, feelings, and challenges that can, over time, cause us to lose heart or lose our way. Perseverance is a day-by-day decision not to give up. We have to notice the moments when we feel lost or overwhelmed or betrayed or exhausted and note how we respond to them. And we have to notice the rewarding times, when we experience the joy of working together on something hard but worthwhile, when we realize we’ve made a small difference.

In a series of concise and compassionate essays Wheately names a behavior or dynamic—such as fearlessness, guilt, joy, jealousy—that supports or impedes our efforts to persevere. She puts each in a broader human or timeless perspective, offering ways to either live by or transcend each one. These essays are self-contained—you can thumb through the book and find what attracts you in the moment. Perseverance helps you to see yourself and your situation clearly and assume responsibility for changing a situation or our reaction to it if it’s one that troubles us. There deliberately are no examples of other people or their experiences. You are the example—your personal experiences are the basis for change.

In addition to Wheatley’s graceful essays there are poems and quotations drawn from traditions and cultures around the world and throughout history. The book is deeply grounded spiritually, accessing human experience and wisdom from many sources. This grounding and inclusiveness support the essential message—human being throughout time have persevered. We’re just the most recent ones to face these challenges, and we can meet them as those who came before us did. As Wheatley quotes the elders of the Hopi “We are the ones we have been waiting for.”

Genres: Leadership, Nonfiction, Self Help, Spirituality, Philosophy, Personal Development, Psychology

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Margaret Wheatley, Ed.D. began caring about the world’s peoples in 1966 as a Peace Corps volunteer in post-war Korea. As a consultant, senior-level advisor, teacher, speaker, and formal leader, she has worked on all continents (except Antarctica) with all levels, ages, and types of organizations, leaders, and activists. Her work now focuses on developing and supporting leaders globally as Warriors for the Human Spirit. These leaders put service over self, stand steadfast through crises and failures, and make a difference for the people and causes they care about. With compassion and insight, they know how to invoke people’s inherent generosity, creativity, kindness, and community–no matter what’s happening around them.

Margaret has written ten books, including the classic Leadership and the New Science, and been honored for her pathfinding work by many professional associations, universities, and organizations. She received her Doctorate from Harvard University in 1979, an M.A. in Media Ecology from NYU in 1974, and a B.A. from University of Rochester in 1966. She spent a year at University College London 1964-65.

Reviews

[Beth Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me and I was happy to find a copy to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the short selections that offered some insightful and thought provoking ideas. Being able to read short selections and ruminate on them was the perfect way to read this book. While some of the thoughts were not new to me many were challenging and they got me to thinking about how I process things myself.
Definitely a book that I will be picking up time and time again to focus on some of the quotes that I underlined.

[Coryke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok book. It caused me to think a bit, but there was too much "zen" philosophy in it for my taste. Don't strive. Don't try. Just be. Well... I get that we might "try too hard" in Western culture sometimes, but I'm not sure I buy the whole relax and it'll be all right philosophy as an answer to everything. Maybe I'm over-playing this emphasis in the book, but by about halfway through the book, this seemed to be the dominant message and I couldn't get away from it.

[Laurens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short (one-page) soothing meditations, accompanied by relevant poetry and quotes, on various emotional states and life situations. Mostly from a Buddhist perspective, and in a pleasant we/us form. Reads like a wise friend who comments on a situation or emotional state we find ourselves in. This one is to consult whenever we need it, with the passage which is relevant to us at that moment in time.

[Kate Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A combination of quotations (pulled from every sector) and short, 1-page reflections on aspects of perseverance, well-being, and maturation. Wheatley provides a modern, religion-neutral devotional for self-development.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book of quotes and one page essays on a variety of topics has been uplifting and hopeful. In a world of upheaval, fear, brutality, sadness, and sickness (Covid -19) it is difficult to see the light and feel joy. This book has many positive messages to help readers sort through their feels.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I moved from reading one page and spending the day pondering - which is a lovely way to be with the wisdom in this book - and devouring it. Now it lives with a couple of other volumes on the top of my desk: wisdom at hand, to dwell within.

[Astrid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book to guide you with life

[Lionel Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Alternative To Perplexity and False Hope

A friend introduced me to Dr. Wheatley's book, "Who Do You Choose To Be," which became one of the most transformative books I read in 2021. In turn, it led me to her book, "Perseverance," which reinforced my sense that her assessment of our world was reliable, and her prognosis spot on.

As she forewarnsthe reader, the schools of historical thought she bases her firmly held conclusions on can at first induce a mistaken sense of despair, which I found myself wrestling with. However, as I absorbed her reasoning and highly informative footnotes, any sense of despair I felt paradoxically morphed into liberation, from both despair and false hope.

Her work has given me a much healthier mindset to operate from after the maddening feedback loop of anger, fear, and disbelief that I've felt trapped in through the Trump years. The concept of "right work," and letting go of expectations has freed me from unhealthy attachments to expectations and actually helped me regain a cheerfulness in doing the best I can where I am at present with the opportunities in front of me and the people I'm surrounded with. I'm deeply grateful for her work and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to invest their life in meaningful work and relationships.

[Cameron Norman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts stellar and then fades

The first two sections of this book bring a message of such power, clarity and pause that I would recommend this book to anyone who ever sought to make a difference in their community, family, or the world at large. It's a call of compassion and understanding to those who seek to understand and act in a complex world. It's worthy of five stars plus more.

Yet, what starts as a unique contribution in the literature switches over to something else, very familiar. It's not got a name or clear fit, either. Much of it is addressing qualities or possible competencies of a change-agent or warrior filled with quotes from mostly spiritual sages. The problem for me isn't that the book is bold in going to places of spirit, but that it loses its direction.

It starts to flirt with almost Zen-like contradictions about steadfastness and surrender and others that seem to be saying many things at the same time, yet not much of anything. The latter part of the book was as much a disappointment as the first part a clarion call.

It's a short book -- and one I still recommend -- but it also is a flawed one, much like all of us. Maybe that's what Wheatley is trying to get at.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short essays that mostly tend to address the basic concepts of Buddhist-inspired mindfulness. They are all focused around how you continue to do work that is meaningful (and maybe idealistic) without becoming burned out and despairing. Since I am already familiar with mindfulness and I am not actively doing "try to make the world a better place" kind of work, it didn't do much for me.

Aside from that I also felt that parts of it were actually not that good. For example, at one point she writes that we can choose our thoughts and emotions! I find it much more useful to *observe* how my thoughts and emotions just happen without my having chosen them. The key point to me is not that we can choose them, but that we can choose how to respond to them and how attached we get to them. Perhaps that's what she really meant, but it definitely did not come across that way.

The writing also felt quickly dashed off and unedited at times. For example, she consistently used "try and..." when she meant "try to..." which seems like something that should be caught by an editor.

Overall, if you are looking for the best book to read by Margaret Wheatley, I would not recommend this one.

[Therese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was loaned the book. It is almost written in a tweet (quote)/blog (essay relating to quote) format. I really enjoyed the perspectives of the author and the drawings were an added bonus. I need to get my own copy so I can keep it to review from time to time.

[Sandy H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my favorite Wheatley

I’ve gotten a lot out of earlier books but her more recent books have done less for me. It’s starting to feel like the same thing over and over again. She has good things to say, certainly, but they’re not feeling new for me anymore.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Margaret Wheatley. It's interesting how I've had this little book on my to-read list for a long time and when I read this while taking a bath it didn't take long to read. This is the kind of book that's a little gem of treasure, and one that will find new gems with every reading.

[Cindy Lou Poquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The small book has some thought-provoking, potential life-altering concepts, with great historical philosophical quotes. To be read in small doses in order to ponder and absorb...or decide what you think about the concepts. Not a stellar book, but interesting.

[Gabrielle Jarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and inspirational read.

[Mia Moutray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!

[Pat Mulroy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Inspiring prose that I read over and over.

[Carrie Froese · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Margaret Wheatley. Her work is inspirational.

[Michelle Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book for reflection. Particularly when the going gets rough...

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous book of essays and poetry. Highly recommend and would make a good gift.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. Especially if you are tired, and think you've seen it all.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perseverance is a very thoughtful book, not in the sense of it being considerate, but in regards to being full of stories, quotes, and stories that really make you think. It's an exceptionally fast read, as it's comprised of short quotes and single page narrative.

Margaret (Meg) Wheatley is known for her insight into the human spirit. Her ability to see pass the surface facade and be able to delve into the deeper meanings and structures that we all tend to hide from others. Many of the 'chapters' in this small book really made me pause.

The book itself is divided into several different sections, each dealing with a certain aspect of the human condition. Grief, Joy, Forgiveness, Anger - these are each covered under their own area. Each 'chapter' is accented with a thoughtful quote or saying on the opposing page.

I know I will be pulling this one off the shelf over the course of years, if not for clarification of feeling, for the quotes that she includes.

[Mor+g an | DNA]

From the Elders of the Hopi Nation

ORAIBI, ARIZONA

TO MY FELLOW SWIMMERS:

Here is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift that there are those
who will be afraid, who will try
to hold on to the shore.
They are being torn apart and
will suffer greatly.

Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore.
Push off into the middle of the river,
and keep our heads above water.

And I say see who is there with you
and celebrate.
At this time in history,
we are to take nothing personally,
least of all ourselves,
for the moment we do,
our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.

The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude
and vocabulary.

All that we do now must be done
in a sacred manner and in celebration.
For we are the ones we have been waiting for.

[Pollyanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I borrowed this book from the library and renewed it twice! It's a small book, but it holds a lot of sage advice and wise observations taken from many aspects of spirituality and the world that contains us.

Margaret Wheatley does not preach, in fact, she doesn't even seem to set out to teach; she simply shares what she has learned.

This is a book to buy, to read again, to cherish and to share.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

While fully secular, this book serves as a devotional for those who are trying to make a difference in their lives. I read just two pages a day and plan to reread it soon at the same pace. Many amazing thoughts and quotes about how to stay motivated for good work when so little progress is being made.

[Naomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wheatley shares spirited reflections on feelings and challenges in life, like a meditation manual. Fine for individual reflection, these would also spark interesting dialogue in small groups, particularly coupled with members sharing their own stories, prayers, and meditations around the challenges named.

[Pat Jurgens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an inspirational book to pick up at odd moments and read a page or two. It is structured around a poem written by the elders of the Hopi Nation, which begins " Here is a river flowing now very fast....the elders say we must let go of the shore".... Very pertinent to this time of the Corona Virus.

[Teri Bryant · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugggh

I really thought that once I started taking the main classes associated with my major, I'd be doing some interesting reading about, you know, helping other people. Except so far it's all stuff like THIS.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. Lots of helpful insight onto moving ahead in life without bowing to distractions created in the mind. Read for a course I'm taking. Probably wouldn't have read otherwise.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

i honestly think everyone should have a copy of this profound little book. enjoyed every minute of it.