Staying Power

Have you ever been so tired, you simply cannot keep your eyes open?  Do you ever get trapped in a less-than-virtuous, exhausting cycle that you cannot escape?  Was there a time when you wanted to shout, “Go on without me!”  How about this one… you are working on an important project… there is an expectation that you are on the job around-the-clock… you wake up, it’s dark outside, you go to your office, you work, you work some more, you keep working, you think you better go home for a bite to eat and a chance to splash some water on your face, you work for another hour, you head home, it’s dark outside, you eat, you get back online, you brush your teeth, you go to bed… four hours later you wake up… you hit repeat.  UGH!  Do you wonder how it’s even possible?

My question to you is this:  Do you have staying power?  Do you have what it takes to go the distance?  Can you see a light at the end of the tunnel?  Are you motivated to reach that light? 

Last week, I had Coffee with a friend who is on the job market.  He’s looking at all kinds of opportunities, doing his own project work on the side, networking in between.  Sure, he has his moments of pure frustration.  He’s concerned that his professional life is temporarily off balance.   He wonders what toll that will have on his family.  He takes a deep breath.  He keeps going.  He has staying power.  I, for one, am impressed by his stick-to-i-tive-ness.  He has the right attitude.  He is absolutely convinced that things will level out eventually and he is not just rolling with it, but he is taking opportunities to steer his destiny in the direction he so chooses.

I often find that when I encounter those moments when it feels like the other shoe has dropped, when the going gets tough, like I simply cannot go on, I close my eyes and let out a big sigh.  That feels good.  Then, look up, muster a smile and press on!  It seems that things always improve or get easier or work themselves out for the better.  I’m always glad when I stick with it – whatever it is.  And, if I find that I cannot stick with it, the best solution is to figure that out quickly and move on to the next.

So, here’s the message:  Just when you think that you cannot go on… don’t throw up your hands and say “I quit!”  Instead, take a deep breath and then take one more step.  Ah… look at that… you made it one step further.  Now, can you do it again?  The truth is this:  You can push on!  And, hard, dedicated, focused work pays off.