I will be the first to admit that exercise is not my thing. In fact, I abhor anything that makes me move faster than a quiet stroll for a coffee. So imagine my shock and surprise when I found myself climbing off a treadmill with a flashing timer confirming that I had completed 30 minutes of continuous fast walking!

Had I experienced a blackout, or perhaps dramatically exceeded my daily caffeine intake? No, it was in fact all due to the new man in my life. With many apologies to my loving husband, I have to say that he is the most exciting exercise-related thing that has ever happened to me. Oh Richard, how did I reach my 40s without experiencing your talents?

Before you rush to the nearest group of water cooler gossips to share the news of my torrid affair, I should let you know that the man in question is Sir Richard Branson, and it is only his voice that has excited me, via the wonders of an audio book. In my opinion these little digital holidays are perhaps the single greatest piece of exercise equipment ever invented; I am barely aware of my fast moving legs beneath me as I roar with laughter over and over at the young Branson’s adventures. How has one man managed to pack so much in to his life?

 http://www.booktopia.com.au/losing-my-virginity-sir-richard-branson/prod9780307720740.html

This was actually the second time that Sir Branson had raised my pulse. Many years ago I had the pleasure of sharing a stage with him, singing alongside several of his ‘hosties’ as he launched a new product range. So as you can see, we have a special and enduring bond.

All of which brings me to my topic for this blog, persistence. No, I am not referring to my energetic endeavours after a life of slower motion, but instead the amazing perseverance of Mr Branson, who, despite being dyslexic, has managed to create a global brand so familiar that we all forget that its name is a little bit rude (or maybe it’s just the little Catholic school girl I once was!).

Both of a good friend’s sons are also dyslexic, and both regard Richard as a hero for his refusal to accept it as a limitation. In fact, one of her proud sons read his book as part of his Year 12 studies.

Many of the children that Mark and I and our team work with have challenges to deal with, be they physical, mental or emotional, but we refuse to let them define themselves or limit themselves because of these factors. And to their credit, most of our lovely kids excel, perhaps partly because there is no one to tell them that they can’t. I do also believe that providing an environment where they can learn individually and at their own pace does help.

Persistence is an intangible thing, but the results are so obvious it amazes me that we don’t all, as parents, teachers and tutors, spend more conscious thought on encouraging it in children. The student who tries long subtraction for the first time, and fails, and then tries again, and fails again, but finally, after several attempts, succeeds. How much better does that success feel to them because they triumphed over adversity?

James Dyson apparently built more than 7,000 failed vacuums on the way to success. Now that is persistence. And what was his reward? Yes, a sizeable estate and a house that the Queen would feel at home in, but I would be willing to bet that his most valuable possession is his sense of achievement.

So when you are parenting, teaching, or mentoring a child, think about my friends Richard and James, and encourage that child to practice persistence and make as many mistakes as it takes to reach their goal. The rewards will be so much greater.