This is part of a series on the Five Tenets of Taekwondo: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and Indomitable Spirit.
I'll be honest with you, running is not my favorite.
I think running is healthy, a great form of exercise, and I admire those who run with great speed and for great distances. I am not knocking it, just admitting that it's not something that I particularly enjoy.
When I tested for my 3rd degree black belt, one of the fitness requirements was a mile run. To some of you a mile run may not seem like a big deal. That was certainly the case for some of my fellow black belt candidates, who flew around the track at twice my pace. There were other portions of the test in which I excelled but the mile run simply wasn't one of them. I was slow and it was hard for me, and it was embarrassing! Watching the guys speed around the track at practices made me question whether I was worthy of earning my 3rd degree. That's when I reminded myself of the tenet Perseverance:
Never give up. Press on, even when it's hard. Dig deep for the grit required to reach the goal. No excuses.
The day of the test arrived. I started the mile run determined to do my best. As usual my teammates sped off on their five-minute miles. I pushed forward, slow and steady. While I was finishing my last quarter, my speedy friends came to run with me, shouting their encouragement. I finished faster than I ever had before, well within the required time. I did not feel embarrassed that day, only proud of what I had achieved. We went on to finish the rest of our black belt test, and I felt grateful to be part of an awesome team.
This is only one small example of perseverance from my life. I am sure you can think of many examples from your own life. In my experience, the times when I have given up have left me with feelings of guilt, doubt, discouragement, and apathy. This can be the case with anything - school, friendships, dieting, resolutions, exercise plans, career ambitions, and any number of goals we set our sights on.
Sometimes we have set lofty goals that were not actually feasible! In that case, it's usually better to reassess and lay out a more practical plan. When our goals are reasonable but it is only our willpower holding us back - that is the time to dig deep and find our perseverance. We don't have to move fast, we don't have to get it right away, but we do have to keep trying. Steady, persistent effort is of far more value than spurts of enthusiastic but short-lived drive. It is this dedication, this determination, this grit, which will ultimately reward us with success. And that is when we learn and grow the most!
Never give up. Especially when it's hard.
Here are some ways you can practice Perseverance:
Use positive language. Say "I can do it!" even when it's hard for you.
Tackle one piece at a time. Big goals can be overwhelming; break it down into manageable chunks.
Don't give up when you fail. Get up and try again.
Push yourself a little harder than you went last time.
Commentaires