PERSEVERANCE
A Companion for the Journey
2nd Edition with new material available October 20th, 2026
By Margaret J. Wheatley | September 2010 | Berrett-Koehler
I wrote Perseverance in 2009 when I first became aware of the enormous struggles we encounter as we aspire to serve this world with compassion and insight. Now these pressures on our equanimity and energy have intensified greatly. We are faced with strong emotions of grief, anger, despair–any of which easily lead to exhaustion and burnout. Yet we also experience moments of joy and love whenever we are truly present for one another.
Perseverance is a companion for this journey, offering support and clarity page by page, drawing on wisdom from many cultures and spiritual traditions, and guidance and practices from my own decades of working with Warriors for the Human Spirit. It is not a book to read, it is a companion to be consulted day-by-day or as needed in the moment. Many of us have experienced opening to a “random” page and getting exactly what we needed. Or if you use it daily, it will strengthen your journey on this path of service and contribution.
May it be so for you,
Available October 20th in paperback and e-book. Pre-order at your favorite bookseller to help spread the word!
US customers can order from Meg’s publisher here.
Find out how you can send copies of Perseverance to US-based non-profit organizations, leaders, and your fellow Warriors during this challenging time.
The impact of Perseverance
“Perseverance lives permanently on my desk — I open it like an oracle whenever I need encouragement to keep working for a better world. Wheatley shows us how to turn fear into curiosity, banish the word “struggle,” and see our hardest days as part of a shared human story. Let it enliven your life too.”
Justine Willis Toms
Co-founder and host
New Dimensions Radio
Author of True Work: Doing What You Love and Loving What You Do
“This is no ordinary book. It is overflowing with wisdom that captures my soul to persevere no matter what the circumstance. When I first ordered Perseverance, I read a new page each day and journalled the main points. Next time through I flicked open a certain page each morning, and it was just right to get me through the day! Now I keep it close and share with others.
One of my favourite quotes is on Groundedness “Ground has to be cultivated. We create ground by nurturing our convictions, by learning from our experience, by developing trust in ourselves and our world.”
Margie Abbott
Sister of Mercy
Australia