"Every failure brings with it the seed of an equivalent advantage," said author and visionary Napoleon Hill in his famed book Think and Grow Rich. I believe failures are the raw materials to build future successes.

I have read and listened to several books, podcasts and LinkedIn posts from entrepreneurs who pitched their business ideas to hundreds of investors and received hundreds of no's. Those who received over a dozen no's apiece were ultimately successful because they were persistent.

According to Hill, persistence is a "state of mind; therefore, it can be cultivated." This quote gives me a lot of hope because persistence is not a trait that you either have or don't have.

To build or strengthen our persistence, Hill suggests building other traits, such as the following:

• Definiteness of purpose: Knowing what you want and what you're willing to do to attain it.

• Desire: The starting point of all achievement.

• Self-reliance: Can be developed through the subconscious mind.

• Definiteness of plans: Written plans encourage persistence.

• Accurate knowledge: "Hope is not a strategy."

• Cooperation: Synergy with others develops persistence.

• Willpower: A finite resource but with proper structure and discipline leads to persistence.

• Habits: Persistence is the direct result of consistent habits.

Life is full of failures, but as we continue to be persistent, we will find success.