Let's Look at "Endurance" to Succeed a Goal or Calling

Let’s take a look at the word Endurance. Something we all require if we desire to achieve a business, life, financial or health goal or a Calling. The Merriam Webster Dictionary definition is

“To remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding, though it be difficult. To continue in the same state of mind”

Chew this over.  It means then that we need to stay in the same state of mind which we had previous to the suffering, challenge or misfortune.  Now that is not easy, however, to succeed we remain firm and resolute, with same passion and energy, through whatever trials or obstacles come our way, and not give in.

Enduring requires:

• The power to sustain without flinching or breaking. We could say we need some “grit” from deep within us to rise up, some bravery, courage and determination despite the difficulty and be unwilling to quit.

When something goes wrong the first place which we react is in our "mind."  Ask yourself, how do you respond when things come against you? How do you think? Self-awareness is key.  The tools to re-train our minds so we can stay on course and to re-evaluate and keep going as before is important.  Achieving a goal is not how well we begin.  Even if you start well, it’s about how we end.  It’s the bit in the middle that’s crucial so we can get through and endure to the end.

We do not endure by:

• Looking at everything else around us.   A runner in a race does not look around or back at where they came from.  NO!  the runner’s eyes are fixed ahead. This we must do to attain our goals, eyes fixed ahead to see and believe.

Those who endure to obtain success all possess:

• GRIT, they demonstrate passion and perseverance despite the odds, the distractions or difficulties.  They work diligently to their goal.

We must not be moved by what we see, feel or hear, when it is contrary to our goal. If we flinch and indulge, then our minds will begin to interpret it, and then our mouth speaks it, and then we have taken ourselves off course into the undergrowth. 

 

Success depends on healthy thinking

What is your endurance meter like? Look at the military or emergency services, especially the specialist teams – what they endure, regardless of the pain or discomfort ahead.  Or a marathon runner in training.  Grit and focus must fill within them to eradicate distractions and negative thinking.

This is the posture we must take up. To guard your thoughts!  What you say comes out from what you think.  We live most of our time in our mind. The world around you and what you see is according to your mind, the lens which you interpret the things around you from. 

It is important to self-evaluate and keep assessing the health of our minds.  I certainly know that for sure in my own life! Where is your thinking going when obstacles come? It’s not easy but if it was then everyone would be achieving their goals in life and or calling.

An accountability buddy can help you reach your goals

So, endurance.  We start and take a stand, an internal commitment, a knowing that nothing will move me regardless of what comes my way.  No obstacle or challenge will derail me, my eyes are fixed firmly ahead at the target, and I will guard my mind believing in my goal.

Know that regardless there will be a solution to any problem I may face, so with faith I believe I will get through and fulfill the dream, the calling within me.

Finally, a tip and encouragement for you is to have an accountability buddy, a trusted person who will believe in you, and encourage you when the going gets tough.  The military - they work as a team.  Don’t be a lone solider, who do you have around you who can do the same for you? If not then consider the strides you will make if you are serious about what you wish to achieve and succeed in.