If I was asked to describe
in one word, what is needed for success, that word would be
“Perseverance”. Those who persevere in all aspects of
life (education, work, personal finance, relationships, etc.) are
likely to succeed; those who don't persevere are likely to fail and
be less happy in life. Success requires constant effort
throughout life. The road to success especially in achieving
educational goals, satisfying careers, well paid jobs, desired
promotions, nice homes, furniture, cars, and vacations plus saving
and investing money for today's needs, future family needs, and
future retirement needs is a long and sometimes difficult road. It
takes a lot of daily effort year after year for several decades to
first achieve the educational goals needed for success and then to
achieve the career goals of job and income needs and satisfaction.
The road to success
necessarily makes you weary at times. At those times, you will likely
ask yourself – when will this struggle end? Is there an easier way?
Can I really take two more difficult years of college to graduate or
work every day for another 20 years until I reach retirement age?
Or you may stop making efforts toward your goals, falsely promising
yourself that this is only a temporary break and you will renew the
struggle (for example, to continue your education), when in reality,
stopping the struggle and enjoying the break from that struggle just
makes the thought of renewing the effort to pursue your goals seem
even more difficult in the future.
We literally get through
life one day at a time. We don't have to accomplish years of
effort and goals in one day, whether it be to continue our education
or employment or saving money, etc. When you are struggling to
persevere to the goals that you have previously set for yourself,
remember that. Just get through today. Don't put the weight of
all the years left that is needed to achieve your goals in the future
on your shoulders today. Perhaps, promise yourself a reward for
today's seemingly extra tough struggle, be it a dessert, or a nap, or
a short drive to somewhere nice, etc. to help you get through today.
Do what it takes, but just get through today. There will be other
difficult days in the future, but there will also be many good days
and/or good moments in the future too.
Why
persevere to pursue this struggle at all? Very simple answer –
history shows that the odds are very high that your life
will be infinitely happier and more satisfying for the next several
decades that it (hopefully) takes for you to reach the end of your
life, than if you make the decision (or let inertia make the decision
for you) to just give up.
It was
certainly the truth for me (both for school and for work) as it was
also the truth for my father. Perseverance toward our goals, very
difficult, tiring, and exasperating at times, made our goals happen,
and life is and was very good due to it.
