You Must Persevere
Perseverance is about staying committed to values-driven actions, even when you're struggling or not seeing immediate results. It’s continuing to move forward, especially when you don’t feel like it.
Perseverance isn’t glamorous. In fact, it often feels tedious. While movies might portray perseverance as heroic or thrilling, the reality is often less shiny. Author Donald Miller once explained that for a story to have a meaningful payoff, the protagonist must endure significant suffering. Sure, there may be moments of relief, help, or joy, but impactful stories are usually rooted in struggle.
Take The Lord of the Rings, for example. Frodo sets out on what he believes is a simple task: passing the Ring of Power to someone better suited for the job. But he soon discovers he alone must bear the burden of destroying it. His journey evolves into an impossible-seeming quest to walk to Mordor—a trek akin to walking to the moon. The weight of the ring drains him, but his vision keeps him going.
Here’s the takeaway: suffering doesn’t mean you’re on the wrong path. While unnecessary, self-imposed suffering happens (we’ve all been there), pursuing a meaningful goal often involves discomfort. In fact, it’s a sign you’re doing the necessary work.
I’ve had to shift my perspective on suffering. Instead of seeing it as a personal failure, I now understand it as part of the process when working toward something I value.
For instance, one of my values is functional fitness. I’m not aiming to look like a bodybuilder, but I want a healthy, capable body to enjoy physical activities and be present for my family. This means waking up at 5:15 a.m. to hit the gym—a struggle every single time. When my alarm rings, I feel groggy, annoyed, and full of reasons to stay in bed. But I’ve learned to accept that this discomfort is just part of the deal.
I don’t wait for the magical day when I’ll wake up brimming with enthusiasm like Tony the Tiger on too much espresso. TODAY IS GOING TO BE GRRRRRREEEEAT! Nope. Sorry. That isn’t likely.
Instead, I break it down:
When the alarm rings, I remind myself: I don’t have to want to go to the gym. I just need to pull off the covers.
Then: I don’t have to enjoy this. I just need to swing my feet out of bed.
Next: I don’t have to love the process. I just need to put on my shoes and grab my car keys.
Step by step, I keep moving, and eventually, momentum takes over.
The pattern is simple: vision → next step → vision → next step.
That’s real perseverance. It’s not about eliminating suffering—it’s about pushing through it. After all, no one comes back from a fun beach day and says, “Wow, I really persevered out there!” Perseverance happens when you’re working through the tough stuff.
So, what about you? Do you have an opportunity right now to practice perseverance?
If so, be kind to yourself. Remember, suffering doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing something wrong. Keep your vision clear, and focus on taking small, consistent steps. Over time, you’ll get where you want to go.
Here’s to growing in perseverance!
Happy to be in your corner,
Tom Page, LCPC
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