2024 is moving along, and the new car smell has just about worn off. We met this new year expecting better health habits, better friendships and relationships, and the hope of a more
prosperous year than 2023. Although we have yet to learn how excellent or so-so this year will be, many of us have already been met with more than a few challenges. COVID-19 continues, coughing still raises eyebrows, and some of us are dealing with transitions in life and transitions of people we love and now miss dearly. The Christmas Hallmark movies have ceased, the decorations are back in the attic, and we are busy coping with the good, bad, and ugly of life. Life has a way of offering us various experiences that can range from excellent to horrible. With so many different experiences, it can lead us to ask, how do we keep going when giving up is the most attractive option? Here are three ways I believe we can keep going.
Remember, our struggles are necessary steps.
In his book Start with Why, author Simon Sinek says, “Our struggles are the short-term steps we must take on our way to long-term success.” This quote helps me when life gets challenging. It reveals that our life journey will involve moments where we struggle, but our struggles should be viewed as a step instead of the destination. Embracing the perspective of our struggles as a necessary step can help us to keep going when giving up is the most attractive option.
Remind yourself why you started.
Quitting is most attractive when repeated challenges persist. In The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, Stephen Covey suggests, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.” When we slow down and remind ourselves why we began our journey, it serves as fuel to help us continue it. The helpful thought of why you started is powerful and can serve as a replacement for discouragement when giving up is the most
attractive option.
Remain focused on the harvest that is coming.
Paul says in Galatians 6:9, So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at
harvest time if we do not give up. When giving up is the most attractive option, our focus must shift from our challenge to the coming harvest. When giving up is the most attractive option, think about the endurance building in you or the faith growing inside of you. In times of extreme tiredness, remain focused on the excellent growth and significant changes occurring in and around you. Challenges can often shift our thoughts in negative ways. But when we understand that our problem, challenge, issue, circumstance, conflict, obstacle, or moment of pain is built into the journey, we can keep going even when we feel like giving up.
Keep going; your future self depends on it!
Commentaires