(Photo: Summer 2016 – somewhere on the Aegean Sea.)<\/p>\n
Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. <\/em><\/p>\n
Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. <\/em><\/p>\n
Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. <\/em><\/p>\n
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. <\/em><\/p>\n
-Calvin Coolidge<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
This quote sat prominently on my desk from my first job after college until a few years ago. Degree in hand and a healthy heaping of confidence, I set my sites on success. I knew what it took to be successful and where I lacked. This quote gave me hope that persistence could make up for all my weaknesses. It was my mantra for years; a constant reminder to \u201cstay in the game,\u201d pay attention and be useful. Add to this an enormous fear of letting everyone down and you can see how I created a little problem for myself. Cue: dirge<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Joy was lost.<\/p>\n
No matter how well I did, (and I have had enjoyed many professional victories), my success was always laced with a lack of satisfaction. There was a voice taunting me: Work harder until this becomes more enjoyable. You should be elated. Look around, Alexia, you have everything you could want. Just be happier.<\/p>\n
My goals were set around being productive at all costs and happiness was never on my list of things that were important. Ultimately, my desire for happiness exceeded my sense of duty and I decided to make some major life changes.<\/p>\n
Change occurs when there is an inspiring vision or discomfort forces you to DO SOMETHING new. Think about it. When was the last time you made changes in your life and what was the impetus? It was either the thought of a better life or the idea that you’d be leaving pain behind. Rarely do we change “just because.”<\/p>\n
But change is good; stress is part of life and walking into the unknown is exciting. Reframe that word <change> and all of a sudden stepping out of your comfort zone seems less hard. That is a tough lesson for someone who is hell bent on forcing things to work. Does that sound like anyone you know?<\/p>\n
Thomas Merten said this,<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople may spend their whole lives climbing the\u00a0<\/strong>ladder of success<\/strong>\u00a0only to find, once they reach the top, that the\u00a0<\/strong>ladder<\/strong>\u00a0is leaning against the wrong wall.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
There comes a time when we must be honest with ourselves. Look at the trajectory of our lives with a \u201chappiness\u201d lens. Is what I am doing bringing a deep sense of pride to my life and others around me? Am I working in my area of genius or just good at what I do? Is there a spark of joy in me that people can see? How am I inspiring my people \/ family to find more purpose in their lives? What ways am I contributing to the world around me? Am I happy?<\/p>\n
What if Sheryl Sandberg is right and life is more of \u201ca jungle gym, not a ladder.\u201d What if we, don\u2019t have to go in a lock-step formation? What if we just viewed life more like swinging from the monkey bars? Perhaps letting go of one ring and grabbing another \u2013 is the right thing to do?<\/p>\n
Wait! That kind of thinking will free you up to make crazy decisions, right?<\/p>\n
From an early age, I’ve been fascinated with why some people overcome obstacles and others don’t. What are those universal truths that make it possible to live out a life of meaning, purpose and courage? Where some people born with it or could it be developed? I pursued my personal growth with fervor. It was as if I was on a treasure hunt… constantly looking for meaningful ways to grow and contribute (see aforementioned Calvin Coolidge quote). Surprisingly, I never grew tired of this pursuit. My work was good, but leadership development and coaching was a passion. So I launched this as my main thing… and found this to be true: it’s actually a joy<\/strong> to<\/strong> persist<\/strong> in the things you love.<\/p>\n
The adage, \u201cWe teach\u00a0best what\u00a0we\u00a0most\u00a0need to learn,\u201d\u00a0is true! Ahh, grasshopper, you are catching on.<\/p>\n
Is it possible to dream big, cast vision and live in a world where anything is possible but not strive all the time? Absolutely.<\/p>\n
Remember this: dreaming works best when coupled with freedom and grace – – grace for others and for yourself, especially when things seem unclear or new. You\u2019ll find the right people to walk with you, if you look for them. They are probably right in front of you, as they were for me.<\/p>\n
I slept and dreamt that life was joy.<\/p>\n
I awoke and saw that life was service.<\/p>\n
I acted and behold, service was joy.<\/p>\n
Tagore<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Here’s the thing, persistence and determination will always be part of the equation for success. \u00a0Just make sure that whatever you are throwing your whole self into is incredibly worth it. I hope you’ll grab the monkey bars, pivot, swing and play. Let’s do this. #YOLO<\/p>\n
Onward!<\/p>\n
Alexia is a leadership coach who leads leaders to a greater good by helping them discover their mission\u00a0and vision in life. \u00a0Contact her at\u00a0alexia@alexiazigoris.com<\/a>\u00a0for more information or visit her website at\u00a0http:\/\/alexiazigoris.com<\/a>\u00a0to learn more.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
(Photo: Summer 2016 – somewhere on the Aegean Sea.) Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not: the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1518,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[137,133,139,155,138,135,37,91,142,140,134,136,90,141],"yoast_head":"
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