I thought it might be helpful to follow up last week's message about finding The Next Step with another layer to this process of accomplishing big projects - Perseverance!
If we are going to set and accomplish big goals or tackle large projects, we have to figure out what the next step is in the process and tackle that...next (I know - pretty straight forward as I shared last week). But there is something else that is also required, and that is deciding to lean in with the discipline to take the next step, often when we may not feel like it. And let's be honest, there may be many times when we don't feel like taking the next step, which is why we need a sense of Perseverance to help us. This is about finding some grit, digging in, and moving forward with the next step regardless of our feelings.
Let me illustrate with my recent backyard project.
At one point earlier this year, I was working on the floor part of this project which required laying out a bunch of pavers in a pattern. I thought I could make it work by just laying out some bricks and figuring out a pattern as I went. The truth is, that worked for a while, but then I got to a point where I realized the pattern I had been using was going to leave a weird gap on one side. I thought maybe I could "fix" it by creating a "border" on the edge, but that was only going to work on one side and not all the way around. As I kept trying to experiment with new patterns on the ground, someone suggested that maybe I just needed to go and create a map with graph paper to actually figure it out. To be honest, I was super annoyed at this suggestion because I didn't want to waste all that time making a plan when I thought I could just figure it out! However, after several more failed attempts I went inside and got out the graph paper. And again, being totally honest, I didn't want to make a map and I was really annoyed that I couldn't figure it out! However, I leaned in with some grit and determination and decided to Persevere with this step of creating a pattern on paper first.
Of course, you know what happened. I was eventually able to figure out a map, and once I had it, actually laying out the pavers was so much easier. I wanted to skip the step of making the map, but by setting aside my emotional reaction and leaning in with some Perseverance to the step I knew made the most sense, I saved myself a lot of work and headache in the long run.
What about you? Are you currently involved in a big project but are feeling annoyed at the next step you know is the best one to take? How could you lean in with some Perseverance right now? What are the feelings you need to acknowledge but know they aren't actually helpful feelings right now, and how could you counter those feelings with some determination and grit? The truth is, at some point in every big project, some kind of Perseverance is definitely required.
Here's to leaning in to the next step with Perseverance this week!
Be Well,
Stephen
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