Perseverance

I sat in front of my laptop, sobbing.

I was starting my undergraduate degree as a single mother of three and felt overwhelmed and frustrated by the first assignment. I didn’t understand the assignment and was unsure of where to begin.

A million thoughts ran through my head:

This is so incredibly hard

I don’t know what to do

I’m confused

How am I going to get this done

I’m scared

I sat in front of my laptop, crying. After a few minutes, I pulled myself together, wiped away the tears from my eyes, and tried to complete the assignment again.

I read the assignment a few more times over and over again, and suddenly, it made more sense (not totally), but enough to make me feel empowered to PERSEVERE!

The one thought that never crossed my mind was, I can’t do this, or I’m going to quit. I never felt like I wasn’t capable; my frustration was that I didn’t know how or where to begin.

Often, we give up on opportunities because we are faced with thoughts like “I don’t know how or where to start” and “This is so incredibly hard.” We give up because of how we feel rather than allowing our reason to guide us.

Starting anything new, such as a new role, a new project, or a new task/assignment, can be scary, but it doesn’t have to mean throwing in the towel. When you’re feeling overwhelmed with starting something new or different, try these 3 simple steps to help you manage your emotions and the transition:

1.) Acknowledge your emotions and be kind to yourself. What you’re feeling is normal. This might be a good time to take a break or walk.

2.) Identify any resources needed (i.e., mentor, coach, tutor, etc.) to help you complete the task, project, or transition.

3.) Create a step-by-step plan for completing the job, project/assignment, or transition, including a timeline and accountability strategy.

To learn more about how coaching can help you achieve your goals, email me at info@mayravaldez.com.