Anna Agoncillo
Giving up? It’s tempting. Trust me, nobody’s immune. Failure stings! Although we know setbacks happen to everyone, when it hits us, it still feels like a shock.
We hear “never give up” everywhere, from motivational talks to social media quotes, but it’s more than just a cliché. In today’s fast-paced world, especially in Singapore’s competitive work culture, this mindset is crucial. Because success? It rarely happens overnight. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Take it from me. I started chasing my MA degree back in 2021. What a rollercoaster. I didn’t just breeze through it. I actually failed my thesis the first time. Ouch. But quitting? Not an option. I realized that if I wanted better results, I had to push harder, learn from mistakes, and keep going. Failure is part of the journey, not the end. No matter how talented or hardworking you are, setbacks will come. What defines you is how you bounce back. The folks who keep trying, even when the going gets tough, are the ones who eventually win.
And you don’t have to do it alone. For me, my husband and family’s support made all the difference during those late-night study sessions. If you’re chasing a tough goal, find someone who shares your passion because it helps keep you going when motivation dips.
Image Credits: unsplash.com
Need some practical tips to keep your perseverance on point? Try these:
1. Dedicate a fixed amount of time every day to work on your goal, whether it’s studying, practicing, or hustling. Consistency is king.
2. Think of people who inspire you. Their stories can fuel your own drive.
3. Treat yourself. Reward your persistence with something simple, like your favorite ice cream or a Netflix episode.
4. Create a vision board. Put up images or quotes representing your dream where you see them daily. It keeps your eyes on the prize.
5. To keep you inspired, here are some timeless quotes to carry with you:
“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying I will try again tomorrow.”
Mary Anne Radmacher“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.”
Albert Einstein“Ask yourself this question: Will this matter a year from now?”
Richard Carlson“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
Robert Collier“It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.”
Confucius“Never confuse a single defeat with a final defeat.”
F. Scott Fitzgerald
So, the next time you’re ready to throw in the towel, remember, the difference between where you are and where you want to be is often just one more try.
Celeste Elle
