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What is perseverance? According to one definition, perseverance is defined as “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.” There are some things in life that require perseverance in order to achieve a goal. For instance, completing the coursework for a certificate or degree requires perseverance as there are many potential difficulties in that process. Sticking to a personal improvement goal also requires perseverance. Sometimes you can get off track from your goal because of situations beyond your control. Sometimes your attitude can take a path of procrastination. Sometimes you wonder if it is worth it to keep on doing the work to achieve the goal.

What do you do when you know you need to do something to achieve your goal and feel too tired to do it?

Do you make an excuse or do you say ‘gotta do it even though I’m tired’?

What keeps you moving forward in doing the work to achieve your goal?

Although perseverance may not be something you think about while you are in the midst of the work toward achieving your goal, you will be amazed to look back on what you have achieved because of your perseverance.

The definition of motivation is ‘the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way’. For example, the reason I want to eat healthy food is so that I can stay healthy. Staying healthy is the reason or motivation for wanting to eat healthy food. The reason I don’t want to smoke cigarettes is so that I can continue to breathe in a healthy way. Continuing to breathe in a healthy way is my motivation for not wanting to smoke cigarettes.
Motivations can change over time depending on life situations. Sometimes motivation for behavior is basic survival. Other times motivation for change needs to be found in other ways. Maybe desiring to achieve a certain goal has motivation from hearing the story of another person who has achieved that goal.

What do you think about wanting to do or not do a behavior?

How might you change a thought to change a behavior?

Choosing a positive reason to achieve a goal can help us continue to choose actions to achieve the goal. Putting up reminders on sticky notes where we can see them helps as well.

Life is a journey. With life there is a beginning (being born), middle with lots of side trips (experiences), and finally the destination (dying).  While we don’t have a choice with how or where we are born or often when we die, we do have a choice with our decisions on which path to take at any time. Sometimes we may not feel as though we have a choice when situations are put upon us. The reality is that even though we are where we are based on the actions of someone else, we can reflect, regroup and decide on what we can do next. Sometimes the next action is to stay where we are for that day. Sometimes the next action is to accept what has happened. Sometimes the next action is to move forward. Interestingly, the ideas and strength on how to move forward can come from others who have had similar situations in their life.

Where do I want to go?
What path am I on?
Are where I want to go and the path that I am taking in alignment?

We can ask for help and we can move forward, one step at a time.

As a human being we each have value and we matter, or have meaning, to someone.

What does it mean to matter to someone?

When connections are created, the people on each end of the connection receive a positive feeling. It matters to those people that a connection has been made. By providing a helping hand or a word of encouragement to a person who appreciates the gesture, a connection is created.

If you feel that there is ‘no one’ you know who you think you matter too, you might not be aware of how your actions – a smile, a hand wave, a funny text – mean to those who you have touched.

How often have you had thoughts where you wondered if who you are really matters to anyone?

How often have you questioned if what you do really matters?

The reality is that “You matter” and what you do matters to those around you even if you are not always aware of it.

As humans we all need connection with other people. We all have a need to belong and be seen. When we lose connection, we can feel lonely and sad. The remedy is to reach out to another and make a connection instead of waiting for someone to connect with you. It doesn’t have to be a big deal. It can be a simple “Hi, I’m thinking about you. How is your day going?”

Who do you connect with?

How do you make time to connect with those you care about?

We bloom best when fed and watered with positive connection.