I found this poem on the Internet while researching this week’s topic. It resonated with
me, so I thought I’d share it with you.
The Don’t Quit Poem
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor’s cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn’t quit.
(Author unknown)
Last week we discussed setting up goals with concrete accountability. Everyone has experienced setting goals in order to achieve a plan or dream, only to find him or herself facing obstacles. This week I would like to look at how we address the obstacles that inevitably will come our way. Obstacles may be discovered early in the process or later in the game, but they will definitely appear at some point. No goal or dream of any value is obtained without some sort of struggle. We must learn to remain motivated during times of difficulty. Challenges, struggles, detours, and delays will not result in failure—but quitting most certainly will!
Those who get ahead in the pursuit of personal and professional goals are those who keep trying. Sometimes life deals an unfortunate blow, and the way you react to the challenge determines whether or not you will be victorious. Very few successful individuals reach their destinations by following a straight road. Instead, these people have learned to adapt and adjust along the way.
The process of setting goals must be upheld by a strong commitment to reach the final goal. Often getting to a goal means our being prepared to encounter obstacles along the way; these obstacles often force us to explore alternative paths along the road to success. As the old saying by Thomas Palmer goes, “If at first you do not succeed, try, try again!” You never know when that final push will be what it takes to break through the obstacle and get you to your final destination.
Napoleon Hill, an early leader of positive thinking, wrote, “Before success comes in any man’s life, he is sure to meet with much temporary defeat, and, perhaps, some failure. When defeat overtakes a man, the easiest and most logical thing to do is to quit. That is exactly what the majority of men do.”
Have you ever quit too soon on a goal or project, only to watch someone else achieve the outcome you were pursuing? Have you ever seen two people begin at the exact same starting point with the same sales, career, or fitness goals, only to see one person reach or surpass the goal while the other person failed? Perhaps you’ve second guessed yourself and haven’t pushed on when faced with a challenge. Or maybe you’ve failed to keep your foot on the gas, becoming complacent along the road to your goal. Do not give up on your goals and dreams! When you fail to press on toward reaching those goals, you give up on yourself.
As legendary football coach Bear Bryant said, “Never quit. It is the easiest cop-out in the world. Set a goal and don’t quit until you attain it. When you do attain it, set another goal, and don’t quit until you reach it. Never quit.”
If you feel like you’re at the end of the road with nowhere to go, realize that this feeling is not based in truth. You’ve imprisoned yourself mentally with self-limiting beliefs and self-defeating stories. Step back and remind yourself of what is true: you can accomplish any goal you set.
Next week I will be writing about a key trait you can develop that will ensure your ability to push through any adversity that comes your way!
