“Only by contending with challenges that seem to be beyond your strength to handle at the moment you can grow more surely toward the stars.” ~ Brian Tracy
Challenges–’tis the season for them. There’s the holiday hoopla that so many are facing, but then there’s the special challenges inherent in my profession. It’s the end of term–so papers to read, exams to grade, final reckonings to tally.
Students are facing the same pressures, of course, but as I say to them, take your load and multiply it by 20 or so. You write one paper. We grade 25. Per class.
But the grading is part of the job. It’s the final reckonings that get me. All the failures, all the excuses. All the tears–some mine, some theirs.
These are my particular challenges, but we all face something–and lately people seem to be swamped by them. There’s something in the air. Part of that is the snow, maybe, but no, I have been hearing many tales of struggle lately, so many people seem near the breaking point. Of course, my mind turns to challenges.
We’re told, by Tracy and countless others, that challenges bring us closer to success. Well, overcoming them. And it’s the overcoming them, the getting through them, that’s the hard part.
How do we do it?
Determination and sheer pig headed stubbornness not to fail has always been a large component of my success.
Prayer always helps me. It’s not so much Divine Intervention as having someone to talk to, I think; someone with whom I can be totally honest and open.
Learning what can be deferred has helped. Yes, I got all my professional work done, but personal priorities have all been pushed back. In real world terms this means my home looks like a tip, my diet is shot to hell (as in I can’t remember the last regular meal I ate), and Christmas prep? I don’t want to talk about it.
Solidarity really helps me, as well. Knowing I’m not alone in facing challenges. So today’s post is basically solidarity and encouragement for all who face challenges. We are not alone.
Patchouli Haze--New Age Insights for the Rest of Us 