What This Eternal Winter Can Teach You About Persistence

Persistence, perseverance, determination. Whatever you call it, the ability to keep going when you feel like giving up takes real dedication. It can feel an eternal winter, which is what it is starting to feel like here in Wisconsin.

This winter hasn’t really been that bad. It’s only been really cold and/or snowy and/or icy for about six weeks. I know because I flew home from the desert in the middle of the first cold snap. Before that winter seemed like it was going to be a breeze.

We could still see the grass and we were wearing our light winter coats. Since then we’ve had so much snow and ice dumped on us, walking the dog through the neighborhood has turned into walking the dog to the end of the driveway.

It reminds me of a big creative endeavor that seems like so much fun in the beginning. But then it takes twice as long as you thought it would to do half of what you thought you could.

But there is hope. Spring will come. It is coming here in small tiny ways. The birds are chirping. Daylight saving time means that it is light until after dinner. This week it will be 59 degrees. It is raining instead of snowing.

The same is true with projects that take time. Just as you feel like you’re not getting anywhere you’ll start to see hopeful signs. You’ll get a little better at your pursuit. You’ll make new connections. You’ll understand more.

Quotes to Help You When You Need a Little Motivation

If you need some motivation to get you through, know you are not alone. Seek and you’ll find enough quotes on persistence, perseverance, or determination, to procrastinate for a while until you are inspired enough to keep going.

Here are just a few of the quotes I found that might help you keep going when it feels like your project (or winter) will never end. What are some of your favorites?