Perseverance Unleashed: The Sequel

Perseverance Unleashed: The Sequel

Welcome back, resilient readers! If you've just joined us, welcome to Part II of our epic saga on perseverance. In the first installment, we discussed the importance of the "Oopsie-Daisy Philosophy" which encourages us to embrace the hilarity of missteps, recognizing that setbacks are part of the human experience. We also talked about how The "Dance in the Rain" mentality becomes a powerful tool for embracing perseverance and becoming unstoppable. 

Today, let's dive into two more essential elements that keep you going in the face of challenges: setting clear goals and cultivating a positive mindset.

Set Clear Goals and Milestones:

Picture this: You're on a grand road trip, cruising toward the Land of Triumph. But, for the "planners" like me what good is a journey without a roadmap? I NEED roadmaps! Can you relate? From my experience, in the realm of perseverance, setting clear goals and milestones is our trusty GPS.

I suggest starting by defining our long-term objectives—the metaphorical destination of our journey. Consider aiming for a career milestone, a personal achievement, or perhaps mastering the art of baking the perfect soufflé.

Reflecting on my own experience, after completing my undergrad, I contemplated attending law school. However, I found myself repeatedly asking, 'Do I want to commit to three more years of study? I'll be 35 when I graduate. Is it worth the hours of study, the sacrifices—both personal and financial?' The question kept echoing in my mind: 'Do I want to study for three more years?'

In seeking advice, I turned to my eccentric, super-genius artistic brother—one of my go-to personal advisors. I asked him, 'What should I do?' His response was insightful. He questioned my age three years from then, and I answered, '35 years old.'

He continued, 'Where will you be if you go to law school?' I replied, 'I will have my Juris Doctor.' He then posed, 'Okay, how old will you be three years from now if you don’t go to law school?' I responded, 'The same.' His conclusion was profound: Whether I went to law school or not, three years would pass. But if I chose law school, I would have my Juris Doctor when I turned 35 years old. Time passes regardless.

I am glad my brother helped me visualize my goal and milestone. 

Questions for you to think about:

Are you debating whether to go back to school?

Are you debating whether to start a family?

Are you debating whether to buy your first home? Start a business?

How old are you going to be “fill in the blank” from now, if you choose to do it or not? What outcome pleases you today? Remember time will pass regardless.

Visualizing our milestones, helps us to persevere.

Don’t forget, though to celebrate the mini-victories! Throw a one-person dance party, treat yourself to an extra scoop of ice cream, or give yourself a gold star sticker (you deserve it). These celebrations aren't just for show; they're like fuel stations on our journey, boosting our motivation and reminding us that, yes, we can do it.

Cultivate a Positive Mindset:

Now, let's talk about the magic potion that keeps the perseverance engine running smoothly – a positive mindset. I'm the most stupidly optimistic person. My optimism is so strong that I have to be careful not to cross over into the realm of denial!

I don’t see roadblocks; I have trained my mind to turn obstacles into challenges. I imagine facing obstacles with a smile, as if life handed me lemons, and I turned them into a lemonade empire. That's the power of cultivating a positive mindset.

When life throws curveballs our way, view them not as strikeouts but as opportunities to refine our swing. Embrace challenges like a pro, with a mindset that says, 'I may not have it all figured out yet, but I'm damn well going to try.

Important point: Surround yourself with positivity. Hang out with folks who radiate good vibes, and let their energy rub off on you.

Here's a little secret about a positive mind: Visualize success. Let’s always picture ourselves reaching our goals, crossing that finish line, or triumphantly lifting that soufflé out of the oven! No secret here; the mind is a powerful thing, and a positive attitude can be your secret weapon in overcoming obstacles and sustaining perseverance.

And of course, perseverance rule 101 - Continue practicing gratitude. It's like yoga for your soul. Take a moment each day to appreciate the small wins and the people around you.

I’ll leave you with the Native American story commonly known as "The Two Wolves"

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight, and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

Together, let’s feed our thoughts that build strengths and encourage us to persevere.

My final thoughts, dear resilient readers. As we navigate the epic saga of perseverance, remember: that life is a journey, and setbacks are just pit stops on the road to the Land of Triumph. So, whether you're contemplating going back to school, starting a family, or perfecting that soufflé, ask yourself: "How old will I be, and is it worth the extra scoop of challenges?" Time will pass regardless.

Always visualize success, embrace the absurdity, and, most importantly, feed the wolf of positivity within. Surround yourself with good vibes, celebrate mini-victories like a one-person dance party (with or without soufflé), and always remember the power of gratitude, your soul's yoga.

In the grand scheme of things, life is too short not to enjoy the journey. So, be your own GPS, find joy in the dance of rain, and feed the wolf that leads you to triumph. May your road be paved with clear goals, positive mindsets, and an abundance of gold star stickers – because, let's face it, you deserve it.

Now, let’s go conquer the world, one misstep-turned-dance-move at a time! The only wolf worth feeding is the one that leads you to your triumph.

PS #1: Do you like this blog? Please share it and check out Mon Espace+, our rapidly growing platform of self-care collaborators. With our community of like-minded individuals, you'll have access to a wealth of resources, support, and inspiration to help you on your journey. And don't forget to check out my corner in the Self-Help Category - Your Upward Journey: It's Easier Than You Think! with my informal guidance, you'll be well on your way to becoming the best version of yourself.

PS #2: The picture is of my pup Filho contemplating whether he should eat the extra treat or not. Guess what he decided?