We are told that we need to be more persistent. "Persistence pays off," we are reminded. We hear stories of the dogged determination of successful people who pursued a path and, despite countless setbacks, ultimately prevailed because they kept up the pursuit. The heroes of our stories and films triumph after pushing through against overwhelming odds—the underdog boxer who gets pummeled nearly to death, rising from the canvas, continuing to fight despite the best advice to throw in the towel.