“When You’re About to Give Up”
How many times has each of us gotten to a point in our quest to accomplish something when the thought hits us, “This is too hard or It’s just not worth it?” I would submit that we reach this juncture many times in our lives. It is very hard to get by this dangerous decision point. It is here that we either toss in the towel or we find a way forward.
One of the greatest motivators that all of us has used at one time or another is based on something negative somebody has said about us. Personally, I can recall as a kid people would tell me that I could not play or I could never perform well enough to make the team or the grade. With few exceptions I tried to ignore the naysayer and do it anyway. More often than not I was uniquely successful in the face of many voices telling me that I could not make it. There are people in our lives that “SAY” they want the best for us and then many times they proceed to sabotage my idea, plan, or effort to win at something. This stuff is a test from God himself to see if you/I have the sort of grit that is required to accomplish the work set before us or whether we will fold up our tents and go home. My advice is to ignore them.
Before I/you quit just because a person criticizes us or our effort or our goal, take a deep breath and retreat to a quiet place and do some thinking and praying. When you decide to go ahead with your plans do so with gusto. Use this negativity toward you to push on to the winner’s circle. It is here that we bring into remembrance the discouragement meted out to us by others. These people do not have our best interest at heart. It is here that we drive a stake and move out. Don’t look back. The day will come when your/my critics will be forced to acknowledge our effort and our success.
In closing, use bad things and the lack of faith in us as a motivator. We are not to believe all the negative things said or expected of us. We have to believe in ourselves and we have to believe that our aspirations are well worth it. Get going!!!
Until next time I remain, Douglas E. Graham, Lt Col, USAF, (ret), MHSM
Six Pack and Senior 