Have you ever wished you could just skip the hard parts in life? Wouldn’t it be great if we could just fast
forward through them, like commercials during your favorite Netflix show? But that does not happen
very often. Most of the time you must do the work, put in the effort, make the plan and maybe even
handle obstacles or curveballs that are thrown at you—the dreaded unexpected. What keeps you going
when it gets hard? What gives you the drive to see things through to the end? Perseverance.
The determination to not give up looks different for everyone. Some people are driven by setting
individual goals, while others excel as part of a team. There are list makers, collaborators, and those
who like to quietly achieve their goals without drawing attention. No matter what category a person
falls into, there are ways to make handling the hard parts and feeling accomplished more attainable.
Perseverance – Small Steps
A large task or goal can be daunting. When the whole thing seems too big, it can be common to feel
overwhelmed, insecure, and worst of all–unsure where to start. ‘Paralysis by analysis’ can have a very
negative impact for those who experience it. Breaking things down into smaller pieces, setting small
“mini-finish lines” within the big picture, can make the path forward a bit clearer. Climbing a ladder is a
terrific way to think about this approach. One rung at a time will certainly get you to the top. Attempting
to climb two or three big steps at a time may seem faster, but how long can that approach be
maintained? What happens when the next step is just out of reach?
Perseverance – Mindset
Genuinely thinking about a situation and what it really means is important. Whether it is a simple task or
a dreadful mistake, approaching it with the right mindset for the situation can make a huge difference.
Don’t expect to be the best overnight. There will always be someone better, faster, stronger, and, yes,
luckier. But in the same way of thinking, do not underestimate the effort that has led to reaching the
current “rung on the ladder.” Evaluating and taking inventory of the entire situation will give a much
clearer picture.
– Grace –
One personality trait that can be extremely hard to overcome and can cause difficulty in staying
motivated is being overly critical of our actions or mistakes. People can often be their own worst critics.
To reach a goal and overcome obstacles, there must be room for grace. Accepting that mistakes will
happen and learning from those mistakes will ultimately help drive better performance and
understanding, and lead to a better outcome than failing and giving up. Achievement that is rooted in
effort can be more fulfilling than simply finishing the task.
Setting a goal and seeing it through is not always easy. Life isn’t easy. You will get thrown curveballs, or
you might simply just get in your own way. How you manage those situations and your determination to
see it through, however you manage to do it, will allow you to find success.
And when you do, celebrate the wins, especially the small ones.
-by Elizabeth W.
www.akflexington.com/blog/
