Perseverance

per·se·ver·ance

1. steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

In 10 days I will step out onto the stage of the Empire Classic, Masters Women's Figure Competition. I started this process in January, making it a goal of mine to compete. I was going to do this last year, but didn't put in the work, frankly, to be ready, so I vowed that I would make it happen this year.  I've experienced difficulties and days when I wanted to quit, but then I knew how disappointed I would be in myself if I did. 

I was reading a blog by one of my mentors, Susan Sly, and she listed a 2007 article in Bloomberg Newsweek, by Goldsmith and Goldsmith, that pointed to the top five reasons we give up:

1. Ownership – we simply put ‘our toe in the water’ and say that we are going to ‘try’ something rather than fully commit.
2. Time – we quit before giving the task the adequate amount of time to see it through.
3. Difficulty – when we perceive that staying the course is too challenging, we give up.
4. Distractions – we do not maintain focus long enough to achieve the goal.
5. Maintenance – we perceive that maintaining the course is more challenging that leaving. 

So true.  Most of us feel we can just quit if we have any discomfort - whether a dream, a marriage, a goal to lose weight or be healthier - we are a nation of quitters. Oh yes, there are legitimate reasons to leave a situation that is unhealthy or unsafe, but all too often we quit before we give it all we've got.  I often hear from friends or clients the excuses, "It's too hard", or "I don't have the time", or "I'm too tired".  But it you want to succeed you need to persevere beyond all the objections, excuses and distractions.

I come not to challenge anyone...just me.  My motivation comes from within, to be the best person I can be and to listen to that inner voice that challenges me daily to persevere.