“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity” – Albert Einstein.
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moment of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenges and controversy” – Martin Luther King Jr.
As human beings, we naturally tend to choose the easier things in life. No one wants to tackle the difficult things. Everyone wants to have a soft life.
However, you will realise that if you want to grow and succeed, you’d better get used to doing the hard stuff too. Doing the things that you are not used to. The things that you like to postpone.
The things that make you uncomfortable are the things that really help you grow. Not everything is easy the first time. But with practice, perseverance, and patience, they become easier, lighter, and more enjoyable.
Growth usually doesn’t happen in times of ease. This is because in times of plenty, we normally concentrate on enjoying the rewards. However, life demands that we keep growing in everything we do.
This month, I have dedicated myself to writing and posting 30 articles. I am already behind. Not that I want to make excuses, but this is the reality.
Writing daily is unfamiliar territory for me. I have had a few other personal challenges that have hindered my progress, but talking about them would be making excuses.
I would rather pick it up from here and see how far I can go. Well, I guess it will be worthwhile to review and measure my performance at the end of the challenge. I take full responsibility for it.
They say all growth comes from within. The ability to grow is implanted within each and every one of us. If you really want to grow, be it financially or in personal development, you need to start nurturing the seed of growth within you.
Personal development is like a mustard seed. You plant a small seed; with care and nurturing, it grows into a tree. All things take time, but better things take even longer to produce.
They say good wine takes time to mature. The longer it takes, the better the quality. Likewise, if you are working on a good project, you should not expect immediate results.
You will need to overcome failure and many other obstacles before you see the fruits of your labour. Most of the time, a thin line separates success from failure. Most people give up just before they strike gold.
Endurance is Key
Without perseverance and endurance, there is no success. Without endurance, there is no real growth. If there is a formula for personal growth, I would say, “hard, smart work + persistence + endurance = success.”
Let’s take a college student as an example. To get good grades, they have to work hard, be smart, and endure long hours of sleepless nights studying. This is the only way I know to give a student a better chance of passing exams.
When I was studying computer programming, I would study into the wee hours of the night before going to bed. Tiring as it was, it was worth it.
As a student, I had to endure the sleepless nights and persistently pursue my studies. Without which I would not have graduated.
I guess endurance measures how far we are willing to go to achieve certain objectives.
All great inventors had to endure and conquer failure many times. Without endurance, they would not have achieved even what has been accomplished.
You may not realise it, but you have made certain sacrifices and have come out strong. It could be positive or negative; we have all experienced endurance.
How Motivated are You?
What contribution are you giving to humanity? Are you spending 8 hours a day doing something that does not inspire you? Are you just doing time?
What will you leave behind because you came to earth with nothing? These questions keep me motivated to keep writing and pursue my life’s purpose.
I believe the most important day in one’s life is when one realises their purpose. When they realise why they wake up in the morning and do what they need to do every day.
There is a saying that the moment you are born, the body begins to prepare for death. When you were born, they dug your grave and put the dirt on the right side. When you die, they will put the dirt on the left side.
Unfortunately, the reality of life is that many of us will not be remembered after some time. And many of us will not even be known to have ever lived on this earth.
One day, we will be made to account for the time we spent on this beautiful planet. We must therefore make good use of it. To do that, we must do things that keep motivating us to achieve our life’s purposes.
That is why it is important to do things that make you happy every day. One of the best ways to be happy is to earn a living doing what makes you happy.
Conclusion
“How you respond to the challenge in the second half will determine what you become after the game, whether you are a winner or a loser” – Lou Holtz.
You usually notice your Personal growth and development when you go through challenges. Your resilience and persistence will be fully tested during these challenges.