Awakening Perseverance
Awakening Perseverance
Perseverance is created in the tension between valuing the benefit of success, understanding the consequence of failure, and accepting the cost of sacrifice. We tend to underestimate the expense, difficulty, and time involved in achieving our goals. Strategic failure can sometimes be the wisest choice if the benefits are not worth the tax on our character, health, or family. Success has a price, and we must be willing to pay it. Make sure it’s a worthy pursuit, then commit to setting aside distractions to run your race with faith, courage, and resolve.
Benefit of Success
We must place a high value on the benefits of our goal. This seems obvious, but most of us will realize we strayed down the wrong path at some point. It’s possible we followed someone we trusted, but they had a different destination in mind. Sometimes a life-changing event will impact or change what we value. It’s also natural to drift if we lack a strong internal compass that keeps us locked on course.
Same Outcome, More Fun
A few years ago, I set a goal to run a twenty-four-minute 5K race by the end of the season. On the surface, this was a good health-motivated goal. I worked joylessly towards this milestone for several weeks, until I finally admitted to myself how much I hate running. I permitted myself to trade the 5K training for some Brazilian jiu-jitsu and cardio kickboxing classes. I learned some new skills, improved my cardio game, and best of all, had fun. Getting clear on our desired benefits will reveal multiple pathways. Rejecting preconceived notions of a “right way” allows us to find a success path that’s challenging, motivating, and enjoyable.
What benefits am I expecting to experience from this success?
How will my life improve from this success?
Who will be positively impacted by the ripple effect?
Consequence of Failure
We must acknowledge the consequences of failure. Unfortunately, our failures don’t happen in a vacuum, so they can impact multiple areas, even rippling into our friends and family. We are guaranteed to fall short occasionally, but we can choose what we do after we stumble. Staying down isn’t an option when we realize the consequences are too great. Allowing ourselves to reflect on the consequences of failure can be a powerful deterrent to wasting opportunities.
$5 Potato Chips or Priceless Moments
When I connected my impulsive snack choices to my poor sleep patterns and unreliable energy, I had a choice to make. I could value junk food over healthy energy and accept the consequences, or I could make a change. The choices we make have compounding interest. I reflected on the opportunity cost of continuing down my current path. I thought about exhaustion robbing me of the opportunity to create memories with my friends and family, failing to bring meaningful contributions to reality, and limiting traveling adventures because of preventable health issues. Sitting with the opportunity cost of these potential consequences was far more motivating than any health goals vision board I’ve ever designed.
What is the consequence of failing in this endeavor?
How will the quality of my life diminish from this failure?
Who will be negatively impacted by the ripple effect?
Cost of Sacrifice
We must weigh the cost of sacrifice before we get started. We will experience setbacks, challenges, and obstacles along the way. We must decide if it’s worth it, preferably before we are in an emotionally charged moment. We must be willing to pay the price for what we want. We also need to know when the stakes are too high and be willing to walk away. Determining our walk-away point in advance prevents fear, uncertainty, doubt, or laziness from blocking our path. We need to know what we want, the result of failure, and the price we’re willing to pay before we get started.
Protect the Pillars
Efficient, restorative sleep is a core pillar of my energy protocol. My ideal winddown routine happens at 8:00 pm, which means I miss out on quite a few social events. I have determined that few things are worth sacrificing my sleep. With a few special exceptions, it’s usually a no for me if it starts after 6:30 pm. We can make confident decisions when we know and expect the cost of sacrifice.
What am I willing to sacrifice to succeed?
What sacrifices am I not willing to make?
Can I live with the cost of success? Can I live with the cost of failure?
Resolve to Persevere
It’s naive to focus on the benefits of achieving a goal without acknowledging what it’ll cost us. Weigh the cost in advance, then persevere in what matters most when adversity inevitably arises. If we fail, we weren’t willing to pay the price of success. Even failure can be a strategic decision if the tax on our character, health, or family is too heavy. Remember that some victories are not worth their cost. Know what’s worthy, evaluate the cost, and be willing to pay the price with perseverance for what you value.
Faith Encouragement:
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 – Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
Galatians 5:24-25 – Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
John Maxwell – “If I need to be inspired to take steps forward, then I’ll attend an event. If I want to improve, then I’ll engage in a process and stick with it.”