Adventure: Persistence and Determination
April 27, 2009
Life loves to be taken by the lapel and told: “I am with you kid. Let’s go.” (Maya Angelou)
Most of us would love to believe that life is a beautiful journey down a meandering river in the spring time. The weather is always perfect; the details of nature are breathtaking. The stillness soothes our soul, and the only sound we notice is the water, gently allowing us to skim its surface as we make our way downstream.
Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just get enough ducks in a row, and enough tasks crossed off our lists, and enough plans in place so that our hectic, chaotic lives could make way for this serene utopia? But it doesn’t work like that; does it?
Sooner or later we all face obstacles and challenges that we cannot ignore. When we come up against these brick walls, it doesn’t do us any good to complain, to panic, or to get stressed out. None of these strategies will fix the problem or get us any further along our path. We won’t solve anything by pretending our troubles don’t exist, or by wishing life had worked out differently. ”Why can’t this be otherwise? Why do I have to go through this? Why NOW, of all times, when I’m all alone?”
These are the times when, in my humble opinion, it helps to have a Spirit of Adventure. What does an adventurous person do when they run into complications? Do they give up, stop in their tracks, and cry? Maybe, for a moment or two… but not for long. Do they throw their hands up, turn around, and head back disillusioned? Perhaps, eventually; but not until they have exhausted every other option.
I’ll tell you how an adventurous person handles adversity, challenges, and unexpected obstacles: they push through until they get to the other side. They are the ones who walk right past those of us who are slumped on the ground in hopeless despair. They outlast the ones who decided to take the easy route and backtrack instead.Â
Adventurous spirits have mastered two critical skills that the rest of the world is lacking: Persistence and Determination. They don’t give up.
THEY… DON’T… GIVE… UP.
(Got That?)
Even when others doubt, criticize, or mock their plans, adventurous spirits press on and find a way. They always find a way. Calvin Coolidge (our 30th President) famously said:
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.â€
Adventurous Spirits DON’T GIVE UP.
So what are YOU going to do… give up, or press on?
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Posted in Overcoming Challenges, Spirit of Adventure, choices
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Only on friday I was working on a project at work and for the life of me I couldn’t make any headway with a major problem. It was getting to the point that I was going to throw in the towel and find an alternative. It was only the fact that I knew the end result would have been great that I managed to keep focus on it and persist with it. It finally worked out ok and I am realy happy with the result.
Now after the weekend I feel more refreshed to look over what I achieved and I am realy pleased. It was persistence and determination along with a focus on the end result that made it work.
This is a realy timely post, thanks Lisis.
Am I going to press on or give up?
Depends on what mood I’m in! Sometimes I can’t be bothered to press on … other times, nothing can stop me.
Lisis,
This post reminds me of a book I read about the later life of Teddy Roosevelt. The book was called “The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey”. Teddy decides to take a trip down the Amazon before it was tame. They traveled down a branch that nobody had been down or mapped. It was a great adventure story with seemingly insurmountable problems that Teddy and his team always surmounted. Teddy came close to dying, but his sense of adventure never let him down.
You are absolutely correct! I wrote a post about this once called the Power of Determination. Just as President Coolidge stated, nothing takes the place of persistence. I like the way he said it better, but what I said was that determination can take the place of talent, education, intelligence, or anything else. You can have anything you want in life. The trick is that you have to *want* it. You have to want it so bad that you’ll make sacrifices. You have to want it so bad that nothing, or no one, can gt in your way. You have to sink your teeth into it the way a rabid dog sinks his teeth into a piece of meat and will.not.let.go.
If you want something that badly, then it’s only a matter of time before you get it.
Jay, I think you’re right about that. I was thinking about what Garry said, how he REALLY wanted to complete his project, and what Ian said, how sometimes he presses on and other times not (I’m guessing he presses on when he REALLY wants the outcome.) This reminds me of a show I watched about people who defeat incredible odds to survive because they just want it bad enough. That’s the bottom line, I guess, you’ve got to WANT it. So, if we apply this to our every day lives, we have to decide that we really want to overcome the tough stuff so we can enjoy our life as much as possible. Plow through it, get it out of the way, and continue on the journey.
Roger: I’ve never heard of that book! I can hardly believe it. That sounds like a fantastic story and I will definitely read it. Thanks!!
I love the reframing of persistence into a Spirit of Adventure. Changing the perspective makes an attitude that sounds tedious and “should”-ish into something positive, and transforms obstacles into things that are marvelous and fun. After all, adventure is something people actually seek out and pay travel agencies to find for them.
Hi, Alison! How incredibly cool is it that you are a mapmaker!? I’ve never met a mapmaker before! I love it!! And, you’re right, I’ve always thought of the Persistence and Determination thing as something that Olympic athletes have (and I don’t). But a Spirit of Adventure sounds like a fun thing that I’m willing to sign up for!
Welcome to Quest For Balance! (Did I mention I think it’s awesome that you are a mapmaker?)
That’s just great, I love Maya Angelou.
Thank you for this post, Lisis. Mondays tend to be low-points for me, mood-wise. Perfect time for a little infusion of adventurous spirit.
*grabs himself by the lapel*
David Cain’s latest post… How to Always Have Something Better to Talk About Than the Weather
I think the Spirit of Adventure is exactly what the world needs to be a better place. People who don`t give up, sooner or later, just get whatever they want, simple as that. Like David said, great post for a Monday!
Rosa’s latest post… No hay tiempo para ser infeliz – There is no time to be unhappy
Hi, Rosa and David, now you know why I chose Monday for my Spirit of Adventure series. I guess I figured all of us can use a little pep talk when we are heading into a new week. Seeing you guys here is a great start to MY week.
=-)
I think persistence is the highest of all skills and qualities. I believe that we will accomplish any task that we spend enough time on.
Cody Dream-Life-Coaching’s latest post… Attitude Of Gratitude
After reading this post, I’m definitely going to press on. I love the quotes you’ve put in your post. They are really inspiring (and right!). And this is so true: “Adventurous spirits have mastered two critical skills that the rest of the world is lacking: Persistence and Determination. They don’t give up.” It really is just that simple.
Positively Present’s latest post… let’s go! 5 steps for getting on the road to your goal
@ Cody: I believe you’re right… though I’m not sure if it’s the time we spend, or what we do in that time. But either way, the key is to stick with it until you get it.
@ Positively Present: I love how your post today ties in with this idea! I guess we’re all ready to get some stuff accomplished, huh?
Hi Lisis, This definitely did serve as a Monday ‘pep talk’ for me, so thanks for that. I’ve been reading a lot about ‘acceptance’ lately, so I think I actually needed this. I always have loved a challenge, and I think even thrive on it, but have been trying to be more accepting of how things are lately in the name of my own balance, and I think have maybe tipped too far in that direction. Time to embrace an adventure again!
Lisa (mommymystic)’s latest post… 2nd Chakra Series – Intuition and Seeing
Hi Lisis,
I am a big supporter in the concept that life is an adventure. In order to make the most out of it, it has to be lived fully and having a spirit of adventure definitely helps. Actually, I think passion is needed too. Usually, adventurous people are passionate people so that explains a lot!
Nadia-HappyLotus’s latest post… My Adventures with Chakras
@ Lisa: Those words (Time to embrace an adventure again!) are music to my ears!! THAT is the whole reason I do the Spirit of Adventure posts. Sometimes I wonder if I’m stretching things too far by trying to tie adventure in with personal development. But at the end of the day, I think the best way to get our lives back on track, and steer away from the mundane, unfulfilling traps we fall into, is to find that adventurous spirit and apply it to everything we do. So, yay! The pep talk is working!!
@ Nadia: Absolutely! I think passion is a key component here and when you approach life with a spirit of adventure and try new things, I believe, it’s easier to find what we are truly passionate about.
Hey, I’ve got to get busy reading BOTH of your posts, since your topics seem to be synchronized!! I’ve fallen WAY behind on my reading today, but it’s all Hunter’s fault.
It’s also important to remember that there are no guarantees. Persistence is a plus but no guarantees are made to the persistent either.
Also, in some endeavors, there comes a time of recognizing that one has made one’s very best efforts and there’s no way that success lies ahead. I think of Chief Joseph’s “I will fight no more forever.” Sometimes you need to know when to quit, even when you don’t quit easily.
Nice post Lisis! I think obstacles in life come as a test to see how badly you actually want what’s on the other side. If you want it bad enough persistence and determination will certainly get you there every time!
Sherri (Serene Journey)’s latest post… Life Sucks And Then You Choose