The Art of Perseverance
“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot, and missed. I’VE FAILED..Over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan
As I’m writing this article, right now I’m looking at and reflecting on that very quote that’s been posted on my wall since before I could remember. In fact, that very poster belonged to my dad in his younger years. Beyond that fact, those words consistently strike a fresh sense of encouragement to my heart each time that I read it. I won’t go down the rabbit hole of conversations about if Michael Jordan is the best NBA player of all time, but I will say that his work, more importantly, his work ethic proved on the court time and time again during his tenure in the industry. One thing about MJ and many other greats was that they were very aware of their highest moments, their lowest shortcomings while being humble enough to acknowledge the two. Some might see us only for our successes, while others might only recognize our failures. What matters overall is how you see yourself despite your rise and falls.
Transparently, this was one of the first months where I felt that I had to push myself to make this journey entry rather than it simply be placed on my heart to construct. I’m human and this past month, I was faced with many challenges and thrown off balance. Although I'm still working and having faith that things will get better eventually, quotes like the one above remind me that I’m not the only one who’s had failures and shortcomings. The difference between people who become great and people who remain mediocre is their level of perseverance.
How willing are you to push yourself past your limit because you recognize your potential? How many times will you get up after being knocked down? What will you do when you fail at something you worked incredibly hard for? – These are all questions that we’ve had to ask ourselves at some point in this life. People who persevere remain confident that even though they might fall short the first time, they will persevere and keep working to perfect it that second, third or even 50th time. They know that they might not have succeeded in perfection, but they have succeeded in perseverance and oftentimes that takes people farther than those who believe they’ve got it all.
Perseverance looks different on every person. That’s because we are all unique.
My challenge to you this month is to take yourself on a date. Yes, you and yourself only. “Table for one please!” Do this and take time to get to know yourself. Clearly identify your strengths, your weaknesses, your skills, your hobbies and most importantly, your biggest failures. Think about things that you’ve wanted to do but put off or maybe failed at the first time. Whatever you do during that time, focus on using it to recognize that you are a human being just like everyone else and that you are INCREDIBLY stronger than you might perceive. Perseverance is a choice that we have to make ourselves. You yourself are the only person that can make you give 110% each time. So during this month of October, as the leaves fall, allow your fear of failure to do the same.
Life can be hard sometimes, but we have the power to shape how we perceive it. So, continue to persevere, even in the darkest of times because eventually, you’ll look back and thank yourself for it.
The Art of Perseverance is Faith in Action – Happy First of the Month.
