Never give up.
It’s a simple statement, but it represents a profoundly difficult course of action. There are few phrases that can be both inspiring and formidable. However, it represents a part of a larger statement. If one wants to be successful at anything in life, then one must persevere despite the obstacles that come their way. This can be very difficult, as there are many people who will be willing to tell you that what you strive for is not worth it, that no matter how hard you try, you will never achieve your goals.
These are the voices of people who have condemned themselves to failure. Perhaps they have come to this conclusion because they themselves have failed in their own attempts. If you try repeatedly but don’t achieve your goals, it’s easy to get discouraged. Sometimes it is more comfortable, psychologically, emotionally, and physically, to give up on dreams rather than keep trying.
These negative voices are not always external. Doubt is a great detriment to success. If one is already questioning the importance or plausibility of a particular goal, then the obstacles one faces may seem even greater than they are. If one allows negative thoughts to rule one’s perceptions, all tasks become more difficult.
It is the simple truth that nothing has ever been achieved by giving up, except, of course, succeeding in giving up.
It may also be the case that the detractors you meet don’t see the value in the goals you’ve set for yourself. Someone focused only on financial gain may not be able to perceive the reward of creating a beautiful portrait. Conversely, someone who focuses purely on the artistic may be unable to comprehend the gratification someone else derives from rising through the ranks of the corporate world.
The first step to success in anything is learning not to listen to naysayers, including internalized ones. It is important to realize that in order to be successful, one must be willing to try. As hockey great Wayne Gretzky once said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t make.”
This is much more difficult than it seems. Fear of failure is common. No one wants to appear foolish in front of others. No one wants to have to go to bed at night with the knowledge that they have given their all and yet have not gained what they were looking for.
There are a number of methods that can be used to increase your chances of success that apply to almost every situation. These techniques are fairly general, but can be modified to fit specific situations.
Believe you can
The only thing harder than trying is trying when you don’t feel like you can succeed. It is important to know, deep in your heart, that you are capable of achieving your goals. This can be achieved through various methods. Some recommend positive imagery: imagining himself as he will look after he has achieved what he is trying to achieve, and then determining how he got there. Stand in front of the mirror every morning and give yourself a motivational speech. Ignore those who say you can’t.
examine your goals
Is there a reason why you haven’t been able to reach your goals yet? Is your goal realistic? Being a professional basketball player might not be in the cards if you’re only five feet tall (although it’s still possible). Are there things you should do before setting your sights on a higher goal? Is what you’re fighting for what you really want? A little self-examination may reveal that the reason you haven’t been able to make progress toward your goal is that you’re holding yourself back due to the fact that it’s not what you really want.
make a plan
This is closely related to examining your goals. People often fail because they achieve something before they are ready for it. For example, no one expects to become a doctor or a lawyer without first obtaining the proper education and credentials. Look at your overall goal and create a list of steps you need to accomplish before you can finally get what you want. Break these steps down into smaller, more manageable goals. Not only will this help you move towards your goal, but it will provide you with a series of successes that will help bolster your confidence, making it easier for you to continue. At the end of the day, instead of saying “I didn’t get to X again,” you’ll say “I got Z today, which brings me that much closer to X.”
Sacrifices may be required
Whether your goal is to be a top lawyer, an author, or the best snowboarder in the world, you’ll need to put in the time to work toward that end. Studying, researching and practicing will become your watchwords. There will be times when you would rather do something else and have to miss out. Remember that these sacrifices bring you closer to what you want to achieve.
The journey is as important as the destination
Instead, don’t get so focused on one goal that you lose the rest of your life. While being motivated is often seen as a positive trait, so is the ability to relax and enjoy life. Focusing too long and too hard on one thing will only result in someone getting burned out quickly. When that one thing is acquired, it may have lost all its value. Take time for friends, family, and fun, as well as work toward your goal.
Remember that ultimately life is a series of successes and failures. No one achieves their goals on the first try. The obstacles that life puts in front of us make it that much sweeter when we reach our destination.