Note: This article is based on the work of the author Darius Foroux, in which he tells us about the importance of perseverance.
We all have bills to pay, people to take care of, and critical tasks to complete, and we do these things because if we don't, we might get fired and lose our income. Without income, we can't pay for our house, our clothes, our vacations, and so on. It is an ordinary life, and I call it 'ordinary' because it's how 99% of all the people I know live.
After years of living an ordinary life, you get used to it, and you know what you have to say and do to keep your job. You also know when you can wake up so you can get to work on time. I know this because these thoughts were in my mind when I had a job that I did not like. Every week, I set the alarm, and I count the minutes until I clock out and leave immediately.
We, as humans, are smart and adapt quickly
This is precisely our biggest problem. It is easy to get caught up in what I call the “excitement and acceptance cycle.” I have spent most of my life this way: trying something unique, then accepting it, and repeating the cycle.
The new thing can be anything, such as a job, a goal, a desire, or a relationship; You are excited about something new, but after a while you enter the acceptance phase, and this is what I want to avoid because acceptance means stagnation, which means no progress.
Is stagnation bad?
Perhaps most people do not mind stagnation; they fill their lives with fun and entertainment. Accept your place in life and maintain the status quo and your work. There is nothing wrong with living a life without personal growth, but it doesn't work for me personally for one reason: I believe a life of leisure is pointless.
I have suffered stagnation many times in my life, and I am sure that I will return to it at some point. Still, if you stay where you are for a long time, it will only get worse. There is no such thing as maintaining the status quo.
As the well-known actress Helen Hayes famously said, "If you are comfortable, you are lazy." She was one of just 12 people to have received an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. These words encapsulate the essence of advancement and its significance. I can provide you with numerous examples from my own life to substantiate this.
When I started my first job, I learned a lot during the first two years, but my development stopped after that because I did not understand this idea. I stopped working enthusiastically. Was I tired? No, it's not like that; I didn't know why I started to slack off.
It just happened. The same applies to my blog; I've been running it for three years, but earlier this year, I somehow stopped coming up with new ideas and concepts. Again, I don't know why, and I think it's a natural feeling. Still, it doesn't apply to everyone, and fortunately, we can study and learn from others.
Progress focuses on moving forward, and success comes next
Take Kobe Bryant, one of the best basketball players of all time. For the past few years, I've been fascinated by his mentality and commitment to training; he's always been the first person in the gym and the last person out.
In the summer of 1999, when everyone was resting, Kobe achieved 100,000 shots and made progress while most of his peers did not. Even though he helped the Lakers win championships in 2000, 2001, and 2003, he never stopped or hesitated. Kobe Bryant could have taken a rest, but he sought to achieve 100,000 shots because that is what matters to him.
In conclusion
It's about improving every day, persevering, and progressing. Let's ask ourselves, what's the other option? Sitting on your beach chair, giving up, and accepting the reality of life? If you want something, go for it. As far as I'm concerned, there is no other option. I'm not here to relax or be complacent, and I remind myself of that all the time.
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