Having a big goal is a lot like having a baby.  We know they will be challenging before we decide to create them, but we really have no clue of the magnitude of work they will require until we are in the middle of raising them and helping them grow.  While we nurture them, we often feel as if we are failing miserably and wonder what we got ourselves into. Life’s big goals, like babies, require us to persevere.

For instance, when I decided to create this website and business, I had no earthly idea of the time, skills and resources it would require.  I had absolutely no background in running a website or a business, and I had no idea how to blog, do any graphic design, code or handle internet marketing.  I knew this goal would be challenging, but I gravely underestimated just how challenging it would be.  I look back at the woman I was a year ago and shake my head.  I literally cannot believe how naive I was. 

Because of the challenges associated with this goal, I’ve had to do a whole lot of learning this past year.  And not the kind of learning that is esteemed, academic and professional, but more like the learning of a toddler falling over her feet, spilling her juice and wetting the bed.  The kind of learning that is awkward, painful and makes you feel completely inadequate.

So why continue?  I’ve been able to press on because I have some pretty good reasons why it’s important to persevere tucked in my back pocket.  They’ve served me well, so I’d like to share them with you!

When I feel like throwing in the towel, here are three things I remind myself of to keep moving forward:

1. Remember to live life without regret.

One thing I tell myself when things seem bleak is that even if I fail, I will be able to look back on this time of my life without regret.  I’d rather deal with the pain of struggle now than the disappointment of knowing I hadn’t gone after the things I wanted in life.  I want this life to count.

No matter what your goal is, or how far along you are with it, if it is important to you-it’s worth sticking with it.  On your deathbed, you will be proud of yourself for going after the things you cared about, and you’ll smile at the times you fell on your face pursuing your dreams. 

When we persevere, we live life without regret.

2. Remember that valuable lessons come from failures. 

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve banged my head against a wall because a program wasn’t working, or because I couldn’t figure out something I needed to know.  However, I’ve come up with an affirmation to say to myself during these times that helps me stay calm and focused.

I simply tell myself “This challenge is teaching me something I need to know in order to get where I want to be.”

This is ALWAYS a true statement, by the way.  When we struggle and have problems, the universe is providing us a lesson in order to learn something we need to know down the road.  Stick with the lesson and see it through!

We can choose to look at a challenge less like an annoyance or aggravation, and more like an opportunity to bring us something we really, really want.  This is one effective way to neutralize some of the negativity we feel when things aren’t going our way.

3.  Remember that victories only come after challenges.

We must meet and accept challenges to get the things we want in life.  Sometimes these challenges are physical obstacles, and sometimes they are mental or emotional.  Regardless of the type of challenge, to get somewhere we’ve never been before, we must first transform and change.

Just think, would an Olympic Gold Medalist be that proud of himself if his medal was just handed to him on the street, without him having to do any training or suffer any defeats?  Would he even care about this medal if he received it without any challenge?

Our big “wins” in life are always preceded by a challenge.  There’s no better feeling in the world than knowing that you’ve overcome a major obstacle.  Moving from a low point to a high point is exhilarating, and it’s a feeling worth hanging in there for! 

Persevering is all about neutralizing the negativity we feel about our challenges and learning to look at them in a more positive light.  And as you probably already know, staying positive is the key to getting what we want!

So the next time you the sting of failure, take a quick break and remember why it’s in your best interests to persevere.  Take a little time off, find your bearings, and then get back to business. 

Live life without regrets, learn lessons through your struggles, and remember your challenges are stepping stones to victory!  These three reminders can keep you moving forward and help you achieve the things in life that are important to you, even when you feel like giving up.

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