Relentless determination

The calm before the storm

Wisdom is required in order to know when to change directions in your life and when to keep pressing on and trying to make progress travelling in the same direction. There is no point attempting the same thing over and over and over and over again when it obviously isn’t working.

Having said that, there are many times in life when what you will need more than anything is a large dose of endurance. Perseverance. Grit. Determination. That is what you will need.

Life will be difficult in many ways. It will not be easy. Building anything of value takes work. Hard work. You will face apathy, criticism, and outright opposition. Get used to it. That is the way this world often works. Look for the support and encouragement you will need; search until you find it. But at the same time, brace yourself for the journey that lies ahead. Do what you need to do to make it to your destination.

As you prepare, be sure to carefully seek wise advice before you commit to a specific life direction for a long period of time. The importance of seeking wise counsel cannot be overestimated. In the end, you are responsible to make the decisions that impact your life the most. You cannot lay the blame on other people for the consequences. But still, if you are facing a very significant decision in your life right now, please do not make it alone. Get all the good advice you can. You are going to need it.

Build strategic relationships. Pick up the phone. Get on the Internet. Check out a book. Talk to people you respect who have relevant experience in the specific area of life or work that you are interested in or struggling with. Take the initiative. Take the time. Make it happen. So it feels a bit awkward talking to someone you don’t know very well. So what? Dealing with nervous feelings for a short period of time is much better than dealing with a bad decision for many years to come.

Once you have made the decision that needs to be made, stick with it. Do not constantly second-guess yourself. Bring the analyzing to an end and focus on the task that lies ahead. Focus on your future. Focus on your dreams. Picture the difference that your life is going to make. Imagine the impact that all of your planning and preparation – and now perseverance – is going to have. Fast forward fifty years or so and picture yourself standing before your Creator and saying these words: “As you know, I did everything I could with what I had.”

And when the going gets tough, remember these words. Remember the words of a famous speech given by Winston Churchill during World War II. Remember what this man said to a large group of people facing a crisis situation in their lives. Run it through your mind again and again. It wasn’t a speech that many people were expecting. But, here is what Winston had to say:

“Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up! Do not give up!”

You get the idea. Whatever you do…don’t give up now.