“There is no failure except in no longer trying.”
-Elbert Hubbard
Imagine this scenario: You’re working on a specific project or endeavor and nothing seems to be going right. Every plan, no matter how analytical when conceived, falls apart. You try and try and try and there’s no hope in sight. In short, you feel you have no option left but to give up.
We’ve all been through such phases in our lives where we’ve felt like whatever we’re doing is hopeless. When you’re at that mental stage, the most crucial action is not finding a way to soldier on, at least not at first. The first step is convincing yourself not to give up.
Understandably, that’s not simple. Very often, we try to motivate our loved ones by giving them a pep talk on not giving up but when it comes to our own affairs, it becomes much more easier said than done.
So what can be done at that stage? What can you do to convince yourself not to give up when the entire universal energy seems to be conspiring against you? You wait till tomorrow.
A disclaimer here is necessary: I am not a psychologist or psychiatrist and don’t have any specialized training in human behavior. I’m just a writer who, like everyone else, has had his share of trials and tribulations. The following technique is NOT a professional or medical opinion, it’s simply a personal tip or piece of advice that I’ve found works for me more often than not.
While obviously not fail-safe, there is a method I’ve been using for the past year or so which might help in those moments of desperation. Nothing is a guarantee, obviously, but this line of thinking often helps me.
When all options run out and I feel like my back is glued to the wall, I tell myself, let’s just get through today and give up tomorrow if things don’t work out. In essence, it’s the old adage of living one day at a time but in more psychologically pleasing words.
To be more specific, my exact words to myself are: “Feel like giving up? No problem. Just get through today and give up tomorrow. You’ve made it this far for a reason. Let’s add one more day of living. Let’s add one more day of interacting with my friends and family. Just one more smile, one more night with my significant other, one more therapy session. The opportunities for a lot of things will come and go but the time to give up always be there so let me store it away for now.”
I had read about this technique years ago when a former smoker was discussing how she managed to kick her nicotine addiction. When was in the midst of quitting, like any other addiction, many a times she felt the urge to light up. To stop herself from doing so, she told herself, “I’ve made it five days without smoking. Surely then, I can make it for six days and then start again.” She told herself this everyday until the urge finally went away permanently.
Why does this method have the potential to be efficacious? In my opinion, perhaps because it’s more psychological than physically having to do something. The solution to many dilemmas lies more in the psychological impact of it than the actual conclusion. Our actions are decided by our state of mind.
At any rate, like anything else I’ve suggested in previous articles, there is certainly no harm in trying. If it serves as even a modicum of respite, great.
Do you have a method you employ when your back is against the wall? Do you think the technique mentioned in this article has potential? Why or why not? Share your thoughts and experiences by commenting below on our secure servers.
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