By Lowelyn Saavedra
In "Cast Away", Tom Hanks plays an executive who is obsessed with achieving the company's motto: "The World on Time." Chuck Nowland (Hanks) is a supervisor for shipping department, traveling from remote country to remote country to improve services there to the company's standards.
On Christmas, Chuck is called away on an impromptu mission. As he heads off for Asia, he left his wife, assuring her, "I'll be back."
What happened to his flight?
What happened to him after the plane crash?
After a trip around its perimeter and, later, an abortive attempt to escape on a life raft, Chuck accepts that he's stranded alone and likely to stay that way.
Like Chuck, there are days when the whole world seemed against us. There are times wherein we are very discouraged, yet we can survive if we have self-identity and persevered on the path that we know.
I would like to talk a bit about perseverance, and several of its key components. Perseverance is needed if you wish to be true to yourself and your goals, whether professionally or personally.
Perseverance is very hard work. It's believing in yourself, your ideas and your goals. Sometimes during a challenge or crisis the simplest of tasks become extremely difficult. At these times it is important to recognize our actions as persevering, because it may take additional energy to stay with one's plans. Other times if the work isn't actually difficult we may take our actions for granted and not recognize that there are benefits to our work.
As you develop plans it often helps to question your motivation in order to determine if perseverance is worth it.
• Am I doing this for my benefit?
• Am I doing this for others benefit?
• Do my plans have the potential to hurt others or myself?
• What is the benefit of acting now, over waiting to act or letting someone else takes on the responsibility?
The answer to these questions lies within you.
Going back to the movie "Cast Away", Chuck waits to be rescued, but slowly realizes he is likely to die on that island. Over and over we see Chuck fail at tasks and suffer disappointments, and no animal or person jumps out of the bushes to confront or save him. He's alone and he stays alone.
But what is important to note is that he never gave up.
When your challenges seem particularly difficult, remind yourself that you are human. Do not wait around for others permission, compliments or encouragement. Feel good about your progress, and proud of the difficulties you endure.
Napoleon once said that, "Victory belongs to him who has the most perseverance."
It is a statement that is as true today as when Napoleon first said it.
The truth is that only a small percentage of people ever achieve their full potential -- and those who do are the ones who persevere toward their goals.
Not sure about perseverance?
Here are some facts about a well-known man who used perseverance to overcome the odds and finally achieve his goals!
Beginning at age 31 up until age 60, this man failed in business twice, was defeated in legislative races twice, survived the death of a sweetheart, suffered a nervous breakdown, lost three congressional races, lost two senatorial races, one vice presidential race and was finally elected President of the United States of America at age 60.
This man was Abraham Lincoln - and his fighting spirit epitomizes the word perseverance!
So, transform your attitude and commit to persevere in life, and you will finally realize your full potential.
Lowelyn Ho Saavedra is a manufacturing supervisor working in a multinational company in the Philippines. She is a proud working Mom and a dedicated wife.
No matter how big the obstacle is, we always have to do our best
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