Purpose – They all had a purpose beyond making tons of money and glory for themselves. Their purpose was to use their talents and abilities to improve the lives of those around them and further afield. They have a vision for life that drives their passionate pursuit of their purpose. For example, Martin Luther King Jr’s dream kept him focused and working hard even in the face of opposition that turned fatal.

Plan – Know your purpose and your vision, what you want your life to stand for. But don’t just sit there and do nothing about it; have a clear and defined plan of action to accomplish these goals. For instance, the civil rights activists knew they wanted equality and justice for all, therefore, they planned either to achieve that through peaceful action such as that advocated by Martin Luther King Jr. or violent activism such as Malcolm X and the Black Panther movement. Therefore, plan how you plan to achieve the purpose that you have determined for your life.

Passion – Pursue your purpose passionately. Our ancestors and heroes did not rest on their laurels until they achieved it or left this earth and we need to adopt that same dedicated committed passion that inspires us to keep on going even in the face of obstacles and disappointments. For example, it is passion for his purpose and his people that kept Nelson Mandela’s spirit going and purpose alive even in the face of persecution and imprisonment to see Apartheid abolished in South Africa and become that country’s first black president.

Persevere – Keep going in the face of opposition or even on days when you don’t feel motivated. It is easy to lose focus and procrastinate when you don’t see your efforts producing results. However, keep your vision and purpose in view, and evaluate if any changes in your action need to be made to achieve your purpose and persevere.