PERSEVERANCE

Perseverance (“Do I have to?”)

https://www.success.com/9-ways-to-improve-your-perseverance-skills/

So, do you give up easily?  Here are some hints on perseverance.

-1 Don’t be afraid to fail.

I am playing BW in chess.  We reached 100 games yesterday.  He had won 71 and I had won 29 (not quite true - I think we have 4 tie games - which are ½ point for each side)

I’m at 29% - I’m failing!!  But, I get up and play again.  Early on in playing our games, my ego got hurt.  (I don’t like to lose).  But I have found that losing is good for me.  I can’t just quit and go home.  There was a time about three weeks ago when I won something like 6 games out of 8.  I can do that again.  He is a good player - he has studied chess much more than I have - he even knows the names of the openings!!!

-2 Be 1% better every day!!

Every day is a brand new day.  I wake up joyous and ready to go.  Lamentations 3:23 says God’s mercies are NEW every MORNING!!!  

Yes, there have been some days during this COVID-19 pandemic that I have let my attitude slip - but I get up and get going EVERY MORNING!!  (Aside, over the years many studies have shown that eating breakfast is important - “breaking your overnight fasting”)

-3 Begin to take risks!!

I like the adage that a turtle only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.  I need to push my comfort zone - not radically - I’m not jumping out of an airplane today, but I do need to push myself a little.  Taking some small risks can give a person the courage to take the big risks when they occur.

-4 Understand resistance

Understand what is holding us back.  For me, it generally is fear - fear that I might not do well.  Doubt that I am capable of whatever the activity is.  

Marathon runners talk about ‘hitting the wall’.  They have been running for maybe 18 to 20 miles and they just can’t go anymore.  It is over for them - they can’t run anymore.  But, somehow they coax their body to go a few more steps - when I walk, I have my phone with me.  When I’m ready to quit, I check my phone.  Maybe I have 3.7 miles on the day - and my brain says “You can make four miles - don’t quit, don’t quit”.  (And sometimes I go right past four miles - having ‘beaten the wall’)

-5 Exercise regularly

The article says,
“Apply the 40% rule. The rule is that if you complete 40% of the task, your likelihood of quitting drops drastically. I believe that the No. 1 way to develop this skill is physical training. Lifting weights, doing sprints, or even some endurance training is guaranteed to carry over to your mental resilience.the web page about perseverance.  Keep on going.”

-6 Build a network of support

(Hmm - didn’t I just write about accountability on the last four blogs?)

It is hard to do anything alone!!!  Have friends!!!

-7 Keep your goals in mind

“When we make mistakes or fail, many people will be tempted to give up altogether. Instead, if you want to persevere, keep your goals in mind at all times. Start by writing down your short and long-term goals somewhere that’s easy to access. Then, anytime there’s a bump in the road, take a look at that list to inspire you and keep you moving forward.”

-8 Set your benchmarks

Hey - I reached a benchmark - I got to 600 miles for the year!!  Time to celebrate!!!  Keep going!!! (Okay, I did reach a benchmark - and I treated myself to a great new red dress!!!)

-9 Start with WHY

“Getting a break doing anything in this world can be tough. I was once told by an old professor, “It’s not the most talented people that make it, it’s the ones with the most endurance.” And that is true. For me, I have to remember the “why.” Why am I doing this? What was the original reason I set out on this path? Reflecting on that reminds me that this journey is worth my time.”

Endurance - keep going!!  You can make it!!!  

I have a few academic friends that dropped out at the “ABD” stage - All But Dissertation.  But they were ‘almost’ there.  Let’s be realistic, this is like hitting the wall.  My brain and body were dragging.  And, now I had to do original research and I had to write an original dissertation!!  Argh!!!  

(Wow - I impressed myself - I got through an entire motivational thought in ONE DAY!!!)

Something new tomorrow!!!  

Hugs!!

Karen