When the going gets tough, the tough get going, or so the adage goes. But what if it’s too tough? What if you find yourself on the brink of giving up and deciding once and for all that this mountain is not for you to conquer? What then?
At some point in our lives, we’ve all come close to quitting. Many people know what it’s like to give up for one reason or another. Perhaps it seems like you’re going nowhere no matter how much you push yourself to reach your goal. Maybe the future is shaping up in a way that you won’t have room to keep pursuing an interest that you’re passionate about.
People who are highly critical of themselves might consider such a situation to be a shortcoming, but this isn’t always the case. At times, finding yourself on the brink of giving up simply means that you’re caught at a crossroad and are being confronted with the task of choosing a direction right then and there. Your journey might require you to take a few turns and corners, but this is not equivalent to turning your back on your goals, dreams, and who you are as a person.
Understandably, facing this kind of hurdle can bring you down. When you feel like giving up, take a breather and treat yourself with care and kindness. Remember that you’ve put in a reasonable amount of effort so you can find a way through your problem, but the universe is just saying no at the moment.
Rather than being stuck in your own thoughts, you may also need an outsider’s perspective to understand why you’re feeling the way you do. If so, consulting a personal development coach may be a worthwhile investment. In the meantime, here’s what you can do to keep up the fight in you:
Decide Once and for All That Quitting Is Not an Option
If you’ve decided that quitting is not for you, then cross it out entirely from your list of options and next moves. Not giving up is a mentality that one adopts. If you eliminate this action from your list of options, then you’ll be more open to trying new ways to push through no matter how hard the situation gets for you.
Instead of giving up when you get tired, for example, you might opt to rest and give yourself a bit of time and space before you get back to working on your goal. Instead of walking away when you get a little frustrated, you might be more willing to take a different or novel approach to solve your problems. Instead of losing your patience when things don’t go your way, you may think of your current frustration as a temporary issue that you won’t even remember once you’re past the problem.
If you want a more practical approach, it’s a good idea to think of an exit plan right before you start your project or endeavor. What exact circumstances will force you to throw in the towel? How much, exactly, are you willing to risk to see your goals come to fruition? Deeply thinking about these things ahead of time will prevent you from quitting prematurely or backing out at the first sign of trouble.
Remember Why You Do the Things That You Choose to Do
When it gets tough, it’s a good idea to remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Maybe your goal is to live a financially independent life, set yourself up for success, or experience life from a different perspective.
When you face a significant hurdle, think about whether this problem is equivalent to the value of your dreams and aspirations. If your dreams matter more, keep pushing through, and if they’re equivalent in value, think of more reasons to keep on going. Before you invest yourself in a particular aim, determine if you have a strong reason for doing so. If you find that your goal doesn’t really matter much to you, it’s probably a good idea to let go of that project as early as possible.
Inspire Yourself by Observing Others Work for Their Success
Sometimes, seeing others work their way to achieve success can inspire you to do the same. When you’re in a difficult situation, find a group of people who are making an effort to reach their goals and dreams and be inspired by their actions. You can offer each other consistent support and provide the other members of your community insights on how they can overcome their current challenges.
Keeping in touch with these like-minded individuals can also provide you with a healthy way to express your frustrations and disappointments. These are feelings which you’ll inevitably encounter as you throw yourself into the task of achieving your goals.
If there’s a seemingly insurmountable mountain blocking your path, take a step back and think about how you’re going to approach the hurdle given your circumstances and the resources you have access to. Perhaps digging your own tunnel through this mountain is not an option, nor is climbing it and conquering its peak. Maybe you can try going around it and exploring other alternative paths instead?
You can also choose to take a break at this moment and use it to practice a bit of self-care to replenish your energy and step away from the issue. You can then set your sights elsewhere if only for a short while, and catch up with the people you’ve missed while you were busy. Once you feel like you’re ready to try again, you can approach the same issue with renewed focus and interest.
