Work Your Package™ – Perseverance

 Perseverance – Failure can be disappointing, but not nearly as much as the regret you will feel if you give up.

With ordinary talent and extraordinary perseverance, all things are attainable. ~ Thomas Foxwell Buxton

I’ll admit, this post is difficult for me to write. I haven’t always done what I’ve advised others to do. As a matter of fact, I’ve come up short too many times to count. I’ve thrown in the towel and completely given up because the task was too difficult or emotionally painful to complete. I’ve talked myself out of going forward and being “okay” with mediocrity. I’ve applied logic to ridiculous thoughts of completion just because I just didn’t want to do the work.

No one said that reaching a meaningful goal or working towards greater aspirations would be easy, but it will be worth it. You’ve heard that motivational quote hundreds of time but have you internalized it? It’s taking me long to realize that hard work must be applied to all aspects of your life, not just your job.

Before you tackle any goal you have to start with the mindset that you will complete it. No, it won’t be easy. Yes, there will be times you will want to give up. Decide beforehand you will not give up. Decide beforehand you will be hard on yourself when it’s just laziness, but kind to yourself when you are honestly burnt out and need to regroup. Be honest with yourself and know you might not have a team of people cheering you on to the finish line. You may have to be a one-person cheer squad…make sure you get some pompoms in advance.  Perseverance requires you to continue and push forward even when there are insurmountable obstacles.  I hope you make the choice not to give up. Now if you will excuse me, I have some pompoms to dust off.

Adapted from “Work Your Package—A Guide to Being the Total Package” by Ayanna Castro
Website: www.ayannacastro.com | Twitter: @WorkYourPackage | Facebook: Work Your Package
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