We start, we stop. We recommit, we peter out. We live for the sprint, just a short dash, sweating optional. Hoping against hope that this really is all it takes to succeed.
But when it’s not, rather than take a step back and look honestly at what our goal requires, we start something new. Why? Because it’s new. It’s exciting. It’s another opportunity to believe. In the dream. The lottery. The overnight success. The something for nothing. The get-rich-quick scheme.
And it keeps us from learning what I’ve come to think of as life’s most challenging lesson.
If you haven’t filled your place, you can’t move onto the next thing. You can try, of course, but if it’s true that our lessons stick around until we’ve learned them, it’s a fool’s game anyway.
Don’t mistake frantic activity with purposeful action.
No. Persist.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
What resonates with me most in what you say is I can sense you are sifting thought and really getting it’s never ever about the externals. Those are the effects of consistent steady on…but they’re not the why and they’re really not even the true reward.
Your work is awesome. I’m so grateful beyond to know you and to be working together.
Your integrity is leading you right where needs you and where you need to be.
Hugs for standing for that.
So right with you.
Hey Tresha, geez, always so nice. Thanks for that. Yeah, it’s been a journey, for sure. Moving from the need for external validation to being content within has taking time…is taking time. But it’s a worthy effort for sure. Speaking of working together…um…call anytime.
Good reminder Jeb. I’ve definitely thought that I’ve done some starting and stopping, but when I think about it, I have been…..unusually persistent. My persistence is in my unfailingly desire to explore who I am. I had stopped posting for awhile because I think I was getting away from that. I was too caught up in the externals that Tresha mentions above. None of that matters though….everything is already fine as it is. An overly optimistic statement…perhaps, but I don’t think it’s based on any naivety on my part. I’m learning that I just need to do my thing at my own pace. Don’t get caught up in the noise. And yes, definitely be persistent.
Yep, and as we discussed, when you’re doing your own thing, that thing that really moves you and about which you can get excited, everything else falls into place. Thanks Nate.
I couldn’t agree more. My students have a very hard time focusing on anything for an extended period, thus they struggle to gain proficiency in all areas. Was it in the 80s or the 90s that we stopped thinking of our goals as process rather than arrival? The public admires the Tigers (well, not always), Michael Jordans, Lance Armstrongs, Beyonces, and the Barack Obamas, and yet completely loses sight of the fact that these people worked incredibly hard to get to the top. They practiced their respective crafts or built their skill sets and knowledge through tremendous effort. What we are missing when we fall short of our own goals is the passion for the ultimate goal that will keep us on track.
Thanks for the reminder
Barbara’s latest post on Eclipse: http://barbbytes.wordpress.com/2010/07/23/mothers-on-the-lookout-for-more-edwards/
Hi Barbara…
That’s a very good point. With the rise of sensationalist media coverage for the superstars in every field, we’re trained to pay attention to the outcome rather than the process. I’m guessing Tiger rarely got more than a brief mention prior to his first win.
What our parents worked decades for, we seem to expect right out of college. Expectations minus the willingness to work to ensure they’re met. This is more than just unfortunate. It’s foolhardy. And I don’t much care for the probable outcomes.
Loved this post!
It is so true that in our hurly-burly world, so many of us can ‘mistake frantic activity with purposeful action’. It is so important to keep connected with what really matters .. with ‘purposeful’ action. To stay centred, rather than allowing ourselves to spin out of orbit and away from the core of what life is all about. You are so right that we must ‘persist’ … keep mindful of where our centre lies and stay anchored to it.