Are you underestimating your own persistence?

10 Years Later: What My PhD Taught Me About Persistence Over Talent

Exactly 10 years ago, I submitted my PhD thesis.

Yes, I survived.

Spoiler alert: it wasn’t because I was the smartest person in the room.

When I first started, my supervisor hit me with this gem: ‘A PhD is 95% persistence and 5% intelligence. The intelligence part is a given; you are already here.'

I laughed. Well, sort of. But deep down, I wasn’t buying it.

Because let’s be real, when you embark on a PhD, imposter syndrome hits you like a freight train.

Can I actually do this?

Am I smart enough?

What am I even doing here?’

At one point, I was convinced they’d find out I was a fraud, hand me a ‘Thanks for Playing’ card, and send me home.

It felt like I was trying to climb Everest with flip-flops on.

But here’s the kicker: my supervisor? she was right.

The secret wasn’t being the smartest or the most brilliant—it was simply outlasting the urge to quit.

That 95% persistence? Yeah, that’s the part no one talks about enough.

It’s not glamorous, it’s not Instagram-worthy, but it’s the reason I finished.

Some days, it felt impossible. Like, ‘Why did I sign up for this again?’ impossible.

But I kept showing up.

And as I pushed through the doubt, I realized something: talent doesn’t win the race. It’s the person who keeps going after everyone else has tapped out.

Did I want to quit? Oh sis, let me tell you: many, many times.

But here’s the thing—I wanted to finish my PhD more than I wanted to give up.

And that’s where the magic happens.

“You keep going, even when it’s hard, even when you have no clue if it’s going to work out.”

10 years later, I can tell you submitting that thesis was one of the hardest—and most rewarding—things I’ve ever done.

It wasn’t because I had all the answers or was the smartest one in the room.

I just refused to quit.

So, what’s the lesson here?

“Big, audacious goals? They don’t bow down to talent. They bow down to grit”

Persistence is what gets you across the finish line when everyone else has packed up and gone home.

Whatever big goal you’re working on—whether it’s a new business, a crazy fitness challenge, or mastering that sourdough bread recipe—it’s not about being the best.

It’s about showing up.

Day after day, even when it sucks.

So, what’s your Everest? What’s the massive goal you’re chasing right now?

Hit reply and let’s talk about how persistence, not perfection, will get you there.

Thanks for reading! 🖤

Aitana