Saturday Journaling Prompt:

What does persevering mean to me? What does it look, sound and feel like?

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Hardship and Struggle

When J.K Rowling charmed us with stories about magic and fantasies. Mesmerized us with tales of a young wizard and his friends studying at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

When she thrilled us with fictional dramas of Harry’s battles against Lord Voldemort, it was AFTER her first book was rejected by twelve different publishers and years of hardship and struggle. The author of the best-selling book series in history didn’t give up at rejection 4 or 5, 8 or 9, she persevered and lived to be the 2nd wealthiest woman on the planet.

Several decades later, your heart still melts, heavy tears well up, and you’re shaken to the core in disbelief when Bambi’s mother is shot and killed by a hunter.

Your emotions are similarly hard-wired by stories of villains, happily ever afters of Prince charming and his beautiful princess, and the paltry protagonist who came through in the end.

This trigger of emotions would never have been possible without the humble beginnings of Walt Disney. And humble they were, along with tough and very, very long.

Walt Disney‘s road to success was thwarted by setbacks, bad luck, financial woes, disappointment, and even, as the story goes, resorting to dog food in his most desperate times. Thank goodness the pioneer of animation wasn’t defeated. He persevered to bring to the world much loved and timeless classics like Mary Poppins, Pinocchio, and Pocahontas.

Refuse To Give Up The Fight

Almost every successful person hits rock bottom before their rise to the top. There is a common theme in the storytelling of successful people and it is always around falling down, getting back up, and continuing, undeterred. And it’s not just the rich and famous, the privileged and the elite, those gifted with unique talents, or even the smartest person in the room. Ordinary people have a shared experience on the road to success.

They struggle tirelessly but refuse to give up the fight. They sacrifice their social life for their business ventures and vision, never wavering from the prize. People who persevere are insanely focused on their goals, quitting is never an option. They are stubborn to a fault even at the cost of loved ones who may discourage their mission.

They are committed to the end because of an unshakable belief in themselves and their dreams, perseverance is in their DNA. It flows through their veins. They will knock on one hundred doors until someone lets them in. They will walk a hundred miles with the same enthusiasm they had at the beginning, sometimes dwindling in the middle but there to draw upon to get them to the end.

Perseveres are usually die-hard disciplinarians that few understand and many more could never emulate.

They may not be particularly skilled or schooled, they may even be your average Jo. But what they lack in luck, skills, or ability, they make up for in resolute perseverance. They try one more time. Keep moving in the direction of their goal and stick it through to the end. They are driven by strength and perseverance.

The road to success is not for all
because most will stumble and fall
and in that heap, their dreams will become
jaded, distant, impossible, and numb
but those who succeed
are the ones prepared to bleed
prepared to sweat, ache and feel the pain
wake up tomorrow, and do it all again
without a thought, doubt or fear
because they know success is ‘ oh so near.’

Success is due more to persevering than luck, skills, or ability. How can you stick to it more?

Let’s work with these 5 questions to help you become super-determined, persevere, and boldly succeed in life.

1. When have I persevered and succeeded? (Make a list)
2. When have I given up and regretted it? (Make a list)
3. What stops me from persevering? Where do I get in my own way?
4. What do I believe about my ability to achieve my goals and dreams? How does this affect me?
5. What would it feel like to roll up my sleeves and do what’s necessary – no matter what?

Ponder these questions over the week ahead, Journal around them to go deeper.

JOURNALING

If Journaling is not your go-to place for everything you need to share, it should be. Science supports journaling and study after study has found that it leads to better sleep, a stronger immune system, reduced levels of depression, improved self-confidence and self-esteem, and overall Journaling is just good for your soul. What better way to alleviate the tension in your heart and mind than releasing your thoughts and feelings in a journal. Make a commitment to regular journaling. Make it fun but most of all make it all about you.

With grace and gratitude

Michelle

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