Paying the PRICE in Uncommon Times

“Patience and perseverance have a magical before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish!” – John Quincy Adams

We are facing times that no one has ever experienced before. I am going to share my thoughts through an acronym that we use in our “Uncommon Leader for Success,” process. In this leadership process we say, “there is no such thing as a free lunch.” You have to pay a P.R.I.C.E. for what you want to accomplish. Let me use these five-character traits in my thoughts.

We will start with the “P” which stands for “Perseverance”. One definition of perseverance is, “persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success.”

I would guess that we have all surprised ourselves with the amount of perseverance we have come up with during these uncommon times! It is important to me to understand that we all handle tough times differently. This has helped me understand that there are all kinds of ways to persevere and and appreciate these differences.

Here are some things that have helped me to persevere:

1. Connect

a. Connect with my faith. I have spent more time reading and studying my bible and devotions.

b. Family – My wife and I have not only spent more personal time together than ever before, but we have gotten to know and appreciate each other more than in the past. With our kids and grandkids, we have had to connect in different ways than ever before but it not only helps us appreciate the past, but look forward to the future.

c. Friends – reach out to them in a way that they feel comfortable. Again, we all handle things differently and we need to ‘treat others the way “they” want to be treated!’

d. Others – There are others that are facing these times that may not have anyone that they feel connected with. Open yourself up with them in a non-threating way.

2. Stay busy

a. Start your day with something that is important to you. Have that feeling of accomplishment.

b. Change up your day. Do something physical and something mental. I try to read or listen to something motivational.

3. Do something for others.

a. When you do something for someone else it is a win-win. They feel good and it will make you feel good also.

b. Here are some things that are working for me:

i. Write a hand-written note to others. When you connect this way, it gives us more of a physical connection that we don’t get with all of the social media connections.

ii. Make a call, text, or connect with social media.

iii. Find memories from the past and pass them on to those people you experienced them with.

4. Little Things.

a. I have been opening the blinds throughout the house to let in lots of sunshine. It has made a big difference in our attitude.

b. Smile and wave at someone as you take a walk or drive. It’s amazing how they return the smile and it gives you a great feeling.

5. Plan things for the future.

a. Have things in place so when we get through this, you will be a better person for yourself and others.

b. Be intentional so you will not forget these things and go back to being the person you were before these tough times.

Another term for perseverance is “Grit.” If you read the book, “Grit,” by Angela Duckworth, she says, “Grit is the #1 predictor for success.” She defines grit as the passion and sustained persistence applied toward long-term achievement, with no particular concern for rewards or recognition along the way. It combines resilience, ambition, and self-control in the pursuit of goals that take months, years, or even decades.

I believe this describes the times we are going through and why perseverance is so important! In closing, I want to remind you again that we all are different and we persevere in different ways. Appreciate yourself, appreciate others and please stay in touch if I can help in any way. Please stay tuned for the other character traits in P.R.I.C.E.

God Bless!

Joe Coles