When Things Get Tough, Do You Keep Going?

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Or so they say.

How about you? When things get tough, do you keep going or do you turn tail and run?

You look out of your window as you get up in the morning and it’s such a beautiful day, you round up some friends to go hiking. You park near the beginning of the trail and set out to enjoy the glorious weather and the beauty of nature.

You’ve got water and snacks because you’ve planned for a long hike. After a few hours, your little group agrees it’s time to head back. After all, the further you walk, the longer your trek back and your supplies are running low.

As you head back to your vehicles, the weather changes in an instant. What just moments ago had been blue skies are suddenly dark and gray. Your thin t-shirt and shorts suddenly seem like the worst idea you’ve ever had. You can hear the wind whipping through the leaves and branches in the nearby trees and you urge your group to pick up the pace.

No matter how quickly you move, you all know there is no way you’re going to get back to your vehicles in time to beat the storm.

It’s coming. Within minutes, the rain is pouring down and you’re all soaked to the skin. There is nowhere to hide and wait it out. There is only one way out and that’s through it. Your only option is to keep going. So, you do. You trudge through the mud with wet feet and push on until you reach your destination.

It’s what anyone would do in a similar situation because it was the only thing to do. There was literally no other choice but to keep going or stand still.

Life is the same. When things get tough, the only real choice is to keep going. Easier said than done, right? You have to find a way to motivate yourself, you have to be persistent in order to succeed.

There are some other helpful ways for you to push on.

Lean on Me

We all need somebody to lean on. It’s not just a line in an old song by Bill Withers, it’s what friends are for. There is strength in numbers. While it may seem like a cliché, there is nothing closer to the truth. When you run into tough times, what do you do? You turn to a friend, whether it’s to find a shoulder to cry on, to seek advice or just to talk about it. “I’ll be your friend, I’ll help you carry on” as Withers sang.

Your social network can help you rebuild your motivation and encourage your perseverance, even in what seems like the most impossible situation.

Surrounded With Positivity

Similar to the point above, but this time you’re going to rely more heavily on yourself. Or, more accurately – your gratitude list and a recognition of what’s possible in life. So, draw up a list of the amazing things in your life and another list of what life has to offer you. Keep them handy, rely on them when you run into trouble.

Surround yourself with positivity. It could even be a playlist that builds you up and energizes you.

The Little Things

It can be difficult to recognize that the end is in sight. It seems like you’re walking through a dark tunnel and you can’t catch a glimpse of the light. But it is there, although it may just be hiding behind the twists and turns still to come. It can be overwhelming so, break down your journey into bite-sized pieces and celebrate the little things.

Flexibility

Your plans can change, projects can be thrown off track, and unexpected things happen. It’s inevitable, so you have to be prepared. You cannot allow yourself to be discouraged in these situations, you have to be flexible.

Life is one big unexpected storm. You can’t hide from it, you can only keep going. Sooner or later, you will have worked past whatever the storm is. The more you press on, the sooner that is.