Is it perseverance or stupidity?

Two years ago, we had weather like the last few days – 20s overnight, and a dusting of snow or a little sleet in the morning. In 2023, I had a new personal goal: to walk every single day and get a total of 21 miles logged each week.

I was doing great until January 29, when the temperature dipped to 30 degrees. I was determined to walk and doubted there was any precipitation that mattered. I went to my porch “to see if there was ice.”

I gingerly tested the stoop. And promptly fell, sitting HARD on my left ankle.

The result: a serious ankle break.

My perseverance had turned into stupidity.

The X-ray looked like Tinker Toys! After surgery that included 2 pins, 2 plates, and 7 screws, I was fixed up.

My walking goal was shattered, along with my ankle. I wasted 3 weeks waiting for the surgery; then 8 weeks using a knee bike with NO pressure on my left foot, then 6 more weeks in a walking boot. Then 8 more weeks of physical therapy to get back to normal walking. Instead of missing ONE day of walking, I missed out on 6 MONTHS.

All because I HAD TO fulfill my goal.

I’ve learned my lesson. I still have big goals, but I’m more gentle and considerate of myself now.

How about you? Do you have a big goal for 2025? Are you willing to give yourself the grace of going with the flow? Sometimes the weather, people, meetings, or conversations just don’t line up the way we want. We can’t always do things as quickly as we would like.

It’s better to watch, wait, and feel the right time.

Don’t let your perseverance turn into stupidity. The wise person feels into the right time.

When have you let your ambition and perseverance turn into stupidity? What happened? What did you learn?

On your side,

Catherine Jewell The Career Passion? Coach

PS: I’m launching another session of BIG Salary Boost group coaching. The class starts in March. If you are interested, why not set up a time to talk about it? Use this link to schedule a phone call on my calendar.

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