RULE 6: Never Give Up
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“The most common trait I have found in all successful people is that they have conquered the temptation to give up.”
STEVE'S THOUGHTS
We’ve all been there before. What started out as something we really wanted to accomplish now suddenly seems impossible, and we don't like it one bit. We've hit a roadblock, become discouraged, can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, and feel frustrated, unmotivated, and exhausted. We want to give up.
When we give up on something that is difficult (but still possible), we are telling ourselves that it’s okay not to fulfill a promise that we made to ourself. We are literally training the brain that it's okay to be unaccountable to ourselves, which leads us to become unaccountable to others.
The good news is that when your mind is telling you to give up, it means that you are actually right on the edge of growth, and I can prove it to you! Think back to any significant positive change in your life. Maybe you experienced a breakthrough or revelation, you started a new chapter in your life, etc. Now... how were you feeling right BEFORE that breakthrough happened?
Things were difficult, right? Of course they were. Most of the time, it was simply the fact that we pushed on through the difficult times that led us to that new, better chapter.
YOUR ACTION STEPS:
The next time you feel like giving up (on a personal project, a commitment/promise, a workout, a New Year’s resolution, etc.), stop yourself, zoom out your perspective on the situation, and ask these three questions:
1) If I just keep going, will it bring me closer to my goal?
2) If I give up right now, will I regret it later?
3) Do I want to stop because I think it is DIFFICULT or because it is actually IMPOSSIBLE?
I find that if I just stop and ask myself these questions (as simple as they may be), it often gives me the perspective to keep pushing through even when something may seem pointless or unrewarding at the time.
I'd like to challenge you to start becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable. Whatever you struggle with in life, flip it around and make it your STRENGTH rather than your WEAKNESS. If you are afraid of heights, go skydiving. If you are terrible at flexibility, sign up for yoga classes. If there’s something in the practice room that seems impossible, find a new approach, refocus, and keep pushing. You will be glad you did.