The Power of Persistence

Are you New Year’s Resolutions already falling short?

Feeling stuck, and it’s not even February, yet?!

Let’s chat about how to embrace the journey over the destination!

Today, I want to chat about something close to my heart: the power of persistence. For many years, my journey was marred by a lack of persistence and a shadow cast by the weight of major depressive disorder - which made taking even small steps feel like moving mountains.

I was diagnosed at the young age of 16, and I’ve grappled with its highs and lows ever since. But through these years, I’ve gradually shifted my perspective by shifting my focus away from setting rigid goals and achievements. It has been a process, with steps forward and backward, but this shift in thinking has shown great promise and improvement in my mental and physical health.

In truly embracing the journey itself, I have discovered a resilience I honestly didn’t know I had. It wasn't about ticking boxes or reaching lofty targets but about finding strength in the daily, sometimes mundane, act of moving forward step by step. This subtle yet profound change in perspective has been my guiding light, teaching me that the true value lies not in the destination but in the perseverance of the journey.

Remember the old saying, “Keep calm and carry on”? It happens to be one of my favorite quotes, and it happens to be more than a catchy phrase; it's a mindset that can truly transform our approach to life's challenges.

Keep Calm and Carry On: More Than Just Words

This phrase, which has become a bit of a cultural icon, originally emerged during a time of great uncertainty. Its history dates back to the early days of the Second World War in the United Kingdom. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t spoken by a particular individual but rather created as part of a British government propaganda campaign.

During the spring of 1939, as the world braced for the possibility of war, the British government's Ministry of Information was tasked with providing public guidance and boosting morale. They created a series of three posters designed to offer reassurance in the dark days of war that seemed imminent.

The first two posters, "Your Courage, Your Cheerfulness, Your Resolution Will Bring Us Victory" and "Freedom is in Peril, Defend It With All Your Might," were distributed and displayed publicly. The third poster, featuring the now-famous phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On," was intended for use only in times of crisis or invasion.

This third poster had a simple design: a solid red background with the royal crown symbol at the top, followed by the phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On" in bold, white, capitalized letters. The idea was to instill a sense of calm, determination, and resilience in the face of adversity.

However, this particular poster was never officially distributed or displayed during the war. It remained relatively unknown until a copy was discovered in a bookshop in England in the year 2000. Since then, the phrase has become widely popular, appearing on a variety of merchandise and in various cultural contexts, often as a symbol of stoicism and a quintessentially British 'stiff upper lip' attitude.

Its resurgence in popularity has seen it used in contexts far removed from its original purpose, often in a humorous or ironic manner, but the core message of resilience in the face of challenges remains relevant.

For me, I absolutely love the stark red and white poster and the meaning behind it. Sometimes it’s the best we can all do, just to carry on. Keeping calm? Now, that’s the hard work that pays off over time, building persistence and resilience.

The Challenge of Maintaining Persistence

In life, maintaining persistence is often a tougher feat than setting a goal or resolution itself. Why is this? Persistence, the continuous effort towards a goal or adaptation to change, requires not just the initial spark of motivation but also the fuel to keep it burning over time. Life’s unpredictability, coupled with our own fluctuating motivation and energy levels, can make the persistent effort feel like an uphill battle, whether you suffer from depression or not.

It's one thing to aspire to change; it's another to consistently act towards it, especially when the results aren't immediate or when obstacles arise. This is where many of us stumble. The path to achieving our goals or sticking to our resolutions is rarely smooth. It's filled with unexpected turns, setbacks, and, sometimes, the need to reassess our strategies. Amidst this journey, our persistence is tested – not just by external factors but also by our internal dialogues of doubt, fatigue, and shifting priorities.

The challenge, then, lies not only in identifying what we want to achieve but also in cultivating the resilience and adaptability needed to pursue our goals relentlessly. Recognizing this can be a game-changer in how we approach our aspirations. It shifts the focus from merely setting targets to building the endurance needed to reach them.

Those Shame-Filled New Year’s Resolutions

Every year, as the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, many of us are brimming with resolutions – promises to ourselves to make changes, big or small. But as the weeks and months roll by, that initial enthusiasm can wane, leaving us feeling frustrated or defeated. So, what gives?

At their core, both resolutions and goals represent our desires for change and improvement. However, their effectiveness often hinges on how realistic and well-structured they are. One of the primary reasons resolutions falter is their tendency to be overly ambitious or vague, like "I want to be healthier" or "I'll be more organized." Without clear, actionable steps, these aspirations can feel overwhelming or directionless.

Goals, in contrast, tend to be more specific – think, "I will exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week" or "I'll allocate 15 minutes each day to tidying up." But even the best-laid goals can fall short if they're not rooted in a realistic understanding of our current habits and lifestyle.

Moreover, the success of goals and resolutions is also tied to our mindset. Those who succeed often do so because they are not just about reaching a destination but are more about embracing the journey. It's the difference between "I need to lose weight" and "I want to cultivate a healthier lifestyle." The latter frames the goal as a process, a series of choices and habits, rather than a singular, finite target.

Persistence Over Perfection

Instead of setting rigid goals, what if we focused on the act of persisting? This doesn't mean we shouldn't have aspirations. Rather, it's about shifting our mindset to value continuous effort and growth, rather than just the achievement of a specific goal. It's about finding joy and fulfillment in the act of moving forward, no matter the pace.

Embracing the Ups and Downs

Life is a series of ups and downs, and persistence is what carries us through both. It's about getting up one more time than we fall and understanding that each step, even the smallest one, is progress. It's okay if our journey isn’t a straight line; what's important is that we keep going and do the best we can.

My Personal Reflection

Through my challenges, whether in health, work, or personal growth, I've learned that persistence is a superpower, sitting up there with creativity. It's not about how fast I reach a destination but about how I navigate the journey – with grace, resilience, and a dash of stubbornness to keep moving forward.

So, here's to all of us who are in the middle of our journeys, taking one step at a time.

Remember, the power of persistence is about continuing on, embracing each moment, and finding joy in the journey itself.

And as always, I'd love to hear your thoughts and stories of persistence. Drop a comment below and let’s inspire each other!

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Take care & continue creating,