Perseverance. It’s a word that both inspires and terrifies me. I understand its value—one must have it in order to succeed in most things. It’s a truth that the things we truly want and need, the things that have great worth and meaning to us on all levels, usually require more than just a modicum of perseverance. It’s inspiring to contemplate that my effort and hard work can result in successfully achieving whatever it is that I’ve set out to do. It’s terrifying to think I may be spending so much effort and time working on the wrong thing. I know I could spend an inordinate amount of time spinning around that one … so, instead, I think it’s prudent to regularly revisit what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. I take the time to look deeply at what I want in my life—and what I don’t—and ask myself if I’m on the path to achieving my goal. I then honestly assess what I’m doing to get there and determine what I still need to do to bring my goal to fruition. This process usually requires me to look at perseverance—how I define it, how I cultivate it, and how I use it.
If you’ve been following my blog or newsletter, you know I launched my business, Wellness Scribe, full-time one year ago. This first year has been fun, incredibly hard work, overwhelming, exhilarating, and one learning experience after another all requiring constant planning, reassessing, strategizing, implementing, and constantly stepping outside my comfort zone … in other words, I’m living the life of an entrepreneur. Given that my goal is to be a successful business owner (of one or more businesses when all is said and done), I can say I AM on the right path toward achieving my goal.
When Patience Wears Thin
But now I’m one year in and my natural impatience is starting to war with the small bit of perseverance I’ve managed to cultivate … and it’s creating some very uncomfortable sensations. There’s nothing quite like being the adult wanting to throw a temper tantrum. I want success NOW. I want a steady stream of clients NOW. I want the steady stream of income that comes from having a steady stream of clients NOW. But apparently, stomping one’s feet and demanding it doesn’t actually assist in manifesting anything. *insert dramatic sigh here*
I’m WORKING HARD and some days things flow and it seems easy, but then there are other days when I think I’m in over my head. I am smart enough to have retained some of my hard-won lessons, so on those difficult days, I know to stop, acknowledge what’s happening, take a breath (or 20), and then reach out to my support system and get the needed boost. And that boost helps, make no mistake. But at the end of the day, I’m realizing that what really makes a difference comes from me and only me.
I talk a lot about self-care and compassion on this blog because it’s a recurring theme and lesson in my own life. It’s become very clear to me that when I allow myself to swim in the overwhelm, or indulge in the stressful spinning that my mind so easily does, I start to struggle mightily, and so does my business. I AM my business, but 15 years of corporate habit has me too often wearing stress like one wears a favorite pair of jeans—way too often. In these moments, I must remember that perseverance applies to all parts of being an entrepreneur … and a human. I must not only be consistent in my actions around my business, but I also must be persistent in taking care of ME. The reality is, the more I take care of myself, the easier it is to persevere in the face of the challenges I encounter in my life and in running my business. Everything of import requires some nurturance and it starts with me.
Connect to your Higher Self and Connect to the Big Picture
I find it so interesting that the act of launching and running a business—something most of us probably never equate to a spiritual act—is the very thing that is reconnecting me to my close circle of friends and family and to my own Higher Self. It requires me to explore and define my purpose in life. And I learn daily that I’m NOT an island; I am constantly shown how connected we all are and how we really do hold our Universe and perceptions of it in our own hands. I’m finding that the more I align my actions and thoughts (business and personal) with my core values and authentic expressions of Self, everything just gets easier.
Of course, at this point you may be asking, “just what the heck does she mean and what does that look like?†Basically, finding the perseverance to work toward and achieve your goals is found in the small, daily actions and choices that exponentially add up and carry you where you want to go. In my case, it’s remembering to make yoga and meditation a priority—it gives me the mental and emotional space, as well as the physical well-being I need to keep going. It’s remembering to tuck into an hour-long bubble bath with a good book once in a while. It’s remembering to walk in the woods, connect to Mama Earth, and breathe deep with every step. It’s remembering that I have a support system to turn to when I can’t get out of my own way. And it’s remembering that I need to consistently and persistently revisit WHY I’m doing what I’m doing. I’ll be honest and say, “YES!†I want to make a great living from my business and enjoy some of the physical fruits of my labor, but I’ll also say that money isn’t my main motivator. What keeps me going, what I need to pull out, polish, and keep front and center when I feel my motivation flagging is the fact I want to cultivate a life in which compassion and helping others, while living healthy and well myself, happens every day. I want to live in a world that is healthier, kinder, and more compassionate. Surrounded by a sick system, I want to support the people who are actively advocating and empowering others to take responsibility for their health. I want to help the helpers. The knowledge that my own talents and skill can make a difference in both my life and the lives of others is the fuel of my perseverance.
What do you do to help you keep going? From what well do you draw perseverance?