On Persistence
I’ve been having an ongoing battle with a Robin. Going on four months, she continues to try to build a nest on my front porch. And yes, this is July!
I eye her work with quite a bit of exasperation, but I do marvel at her persistence.
She brings a beakful of dried grasses to her perch, and also mud, drops them on a narrow ledge that lines the rooftop of the porch, then flies off to get more. Those nest supplies shortly thereafter fall to the ground, because that ledge is just too narrow for nest building.
And unfortunately for her, she just hasn’t figured that out.
I then, somewhat guiltily, will sweep those remnants off the porch, and think our battle is done.
And then it begins again. I don’t understand how she hasn’t figured out that she probably should find a new place to build her home.
But she certainly is a headstrong bird.
She hasn’t given in to failure.
She doesn’t let anything get in the way of her mission.
She just keeps trying, again and again and again.
And there’s a lot to be said for that. She knows her mission is important, and that it takes hard work, commitment, and the drive to keep moving forward, even when met with failure.
When I think of her persistence, one thing I know for sure is that she is completely aware of her “why” - and that's what keeps her coming back again, and again, determined to accomplish her mission.
There are some important lessons to be learned from her.
Now, I'm not saying we should all channel our inner robin and keep building nests on faulty ledges. But her unwavering spirit is a powerful metaphor for our own journeys towards achieving goals.
Think about it: how often do we get derailed from our ambitions? Life throws curveballs, motivation wanes, and suddenly that initial fire feels like a distant memory.
We abandon ship at the first sign of trouble, forgetting the "why" behind our goals in the face of the "how-hard."
But here's the thing: achieving our goals isn't always a straight shot.
They might force us to adjust our plans, but that doesn't mean we have to swallow our pride.
These challenges aren't roadblocks; they're opportunities to learn, adapt, and maybe even build a better, stronger nest (figuratively speaking, of course).
So, how do we channel our inner robin when the going gets tough? Here are a few tips:
Revisit the "Why": When the initial excitement fades, reconnect with the core reason you started this journey. Why is this goal important to you? What will achieving it mean for your life? Having a clear purpose is the wind beneath your wings.
Embrace the Detour: Sometimes, the "perfect" path isn't the only path. Let yourself explore different strategies.Failure isn't the opposite of success; it's often a stepping stone on the way there. Learn from setbacks, adjust your approach, and keep moving forward.
Celebrate Small Wins: Don't underestimate the power of tiny victories. Every hurdle cleared, every step forward, is a reason to celebrate. Acknowledge your progress, no matter how small, it keeps the momentum going.
Find Your Cheerleaders: Surround yourself with positive, supportive people who believe in you. They'll be your cheer squad when the road gets rough and remind you why you started this journey in the first place.
Remember, achieving our goals isn't about building a flawless nest on the first try.
It's about persistence, about picking ourselves up after a fall, and starting again.
It's about learning, adapting, and keeping that little fire of motivation flickering brightly.
So, take a page out of the robin's book. Be persistent, be adaptable, and most importantly,never stop building your nest (even if it takes a few tries).
Persistence. Keep it up.