Press On: Persistence Pays

Last week, I shared a fantastic guest post by Dave Kustin on the theme of Keep Going. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend you do .

But what about those times when you're feeling stuck, deflated, or completely worn out? When you're tempted to give up and throw in the towel?

I turned to my team for their insights on how they push through these tough moments. Their responses were full of wisdom and practical advice. Here are some of their brilliant suggestions:

Take a Break and Get Some Air

"Forget about what you're facing and get present. That tends to help me approach things with fresh eyes."

Break it Down

"Revisit the outline or to-do list and break it down into smaller, more attainable tasks. Seeing things get checked off motivates me."

Think About Not Keeping Going

"I really think about what it means to NOT keep going. What does that mean for the people I care about? What does that say about who I am? Exploring that usually rekindles the fight to say, 'F*@$* that, I AM NOT a quitter,' and makes the alternative to keep going seem like it's not even an option. I love to win, but I HATE HATE HATE losing."

There is No Finish Line

"I accept that there is no finish line. It's about the journey and managing energy—physical, emotional, intellectual. Making sure I have a rest and refit plan in place enables forward progress. I think about all the issues pro athletes have with overtraining or not taking a knee to recoup from an injury; they end careers."

Segment Your Goals

"I think about things in terms of segments or stages. The Tour de France is split into 21 stages. Don’t try to eat the whole elephant at once. In military life, you don’t work on shooting the 300m target when the 25m target is right in front of you. You have to pick your aim in a way that makes sense. When looking for IEDs on patrol, it’s called a 5/25—look for threats within 15 feet before expanding to 75."

Get More Coffee

"Simple but effective."

Write Things Down

"I typically list or write things down after giving myself some time off from thinking about them. This gives me clarity on what I need to do and control over my next steps. I may be stuck, but now I have a plan to pick up where I left off."

Run Your Own Race

"‘Keep Going’ resonated with me during my first ever 5k race. I almost wanted to walk or not finish. But I had been training for months. It should’ve been easy. By the 2km mark, I was feeling stitches from improper breathing. My friend pushed me, paced with me, helped me get into the zone, and just KEEP GOING. By the last kilometer, I wanted to stop, but people cheered us on: 'LET'S GO, LAST KILOMETER.' I finished the race, beating all my personal best records."

Think About Family

"Family is my motivation. I'm the breadwinner, so everyone depends on me. When I feel like stopping, I think, 'If I stop now, what will happen to my family?' I rest, gather my thoughts, weigh the pros and cons, then take a deep breath and reset."

Laughter is the Best Medicine

"For me, the ultimate reboot is laughter. It’s typically a chat or call with someone who makes me laugh. When I feel beaten, overwhelmed, or stuck, I look for a laugh. It feels good and helps me inch my way back to a good place to work from after a much-needed break. A good laugh costs nothing."

Get Physical

"I need to do something physical, preferably outside. A walk, swim, or game of pickleball helps. Whacking that ball takes away frustrations and clears my mind. The social aspect lifts my spirit, and my partner often helps me gain a new perspective. I usually figure out a solution to my struggle either on the court or in the shower afterward."

Reflect and Be Thankful

"Take a moment to reflect and be thankful. Relax, meditate spiritually, and take a break doing something fun, like taking a walk."

Prioritize Tasks

"Maintain a list in order of priority. Completing shorter tasks first gives a sense of accomplishment and decreases the appearance of the workload."

Reconnect with Your 'Why'

"For me, it’s all about the 'why' of why we do anything. It’s easy to lose sight of, especially when things get hard or frustrating. Sit down and reflect on the 'why' of what you’re doing—fulfillment, pride, taking care of family, self-care. Bring those feelings back to the forefront."

Tune Out the Clutter

"Getting out in nature, doing yoga, or even just cleaning my house helps me tune out the clutter. When I get reinvigorated with my motivation because of that exciting 'why' and the positive results it leads to, I can usually get back on track."

And My Personal Favorite: Ice Cream

"Enough said."

I love all these shared experiences and hope you do too. We all get stuck, lose our way, and feel like giving up from time to time. The key is to recognize that it's just a feeling, and you don't have to let it win. I hope these tips provide you with some valuable tools to try the next time you don’t feel like pressing on.

What resonates with you, or what would you add?