"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt
It would be nice if life was always filled with sunshine and roses, and everything always turned out the way we planned it. The reality is that life happens, and it can sometimes get in the way of us seeing our plans all the way through. Whether it involves making improvements in our personal or professional lives, life's twists and turns can test our faith and resolve of accomplishing whatever it is we set out to do. Partnerships. Finances. Health. Even outside influences like a global pandemic can cause some of the most strong willed people to lose hope in achieving whatever it is they are pursuing.
Life might not seem fair at times, but life doesn't care. Life keeps unfolding in front of us every day. It's up to us to choose how we are going to respond to the setbacks and roadblocks that present themselves, sometimes at the worst times. We can't hit pause, fast forward or rewind, though. Time keeps ticking by. We can choose to ignore the extensive to-do list or the flashing warning lights, but that can only make matters worse. That's when plans get abandoned or our bodies and brains can break down on us because we end up giving up.
Photo by Lucas Favre on Unsplash
There is that old saying that life never gives us more than we can handle, but sometimes we may decide it's too much. Or maybe we decide it's not the right time or we don't have it in us. Obvious newsflash: It's never the right time. And we do have it in us. We may just convince ourselves otherwise to avoid the sweat equity and effort required to reach our goals and achieve whatever it is we set out to do. Anything worth having does not usually come easy. We have to put in the work before we can enjoy the fruits of our labor.
Persistence and resilience are important qualities that can help us get it done. We just need to hang in there and keep plugging away. Accountability partners can be a huge help. Of course, we have to mind our wellbeing and make sure we are not overdoing it to avoid burnout. On the flipside, whatever it is we have our hearts set on, if it is important enough to us, we must be willing to do what it takes to cross that finish line. One step at a time. Sometimes all it takes is reminding ourselves why we wanted it so bad in the first place. If we want it bad enough, it's never too far out of reach.
More Wellness!
Everyday Health: Your Guide to Facing Life’s Challenges, Adversities, and Crises
Psychology Today: 5 Tips to Stick to Your Goals
Flourishing Life Society: Staying On Course: Persistence in the Face of Obstacles
