News Taffy

January is almost over and you may have given up on those New Year’s resolutions but I’d like to offer some encouragement. In order to succeed at anything in life, you must be willing to suffer in some way. You must be willing to be uncomfortable, put yourself out there, experience pain or loose everything. Most of us avoid pain and suffering at all costs, not just physical pain but also emotional or mental distress. We are willing to settle for the status quo even though we aren’t truly happy or have been longing for something different because it is easier to be comfortable with what is than to overcome our fear of the unknown.

Think of someone who is successful or who you admire; a friend who went back to school to get a better job, an athlete who won Olympic gold in spite of the odds, or someone who started a business in his garage who now has stores in seven locations. Now think of that one thing you’ve been dreaming about; loosing weight, applying for a new job, moving to a new town. What is the difference between you and your hero? The ability to face fear and to endure whatever discomfort, inconvenience or suffering necessary to reach a goal is the only thing that separates the successful from the rest of the herd. The overachievers aren’t necessarily smarter than the rest of us but they do work harder, longer and suffer failure, embarrassment or pain to get what they want. They keep trying even if they fail first.

What are your dreams or goals? Are you willing to suffer to achieve them? If you made a New Year’s resolution to exercise more or eat healthier this year, how are you doing? Exercise makes you sore and takes up valuable time and cooking rather than grabbing takeout is tiring after a long day. But aren’t you worth it? If you’ve given up on a goal or dream, it’s never too late to reassess the situation and start again.

Give up the notion that the things you want should just fall in your lap. Be prepared to work hard and face setbacks. Set smaller goals that lead to the bigger prize. Try to identify and prepare for the worst possible situations ahead of time and what you can do to avoid them. Seek help and advice but don’t let naysayers stop you. Don’t allow your self false hopes or illusions however. If you are 30 years old and only 5’8”, you aren’t going to play professional basketball. Your dream or goal may be reached in a slightly different way. Instead of being a professional dancer, perhaps you can compete in more local ballroom dance competitions.

At the least, you will receive the satisfaction of knowing that you tried your best. The worst thing is knowing that you didn’t even attempt your dream. Most important, your children will learn from your example and be better able to face life’s challenges.