3 Tips For When You Want to Quit

  Photo Credit: Sheffield Tiger 

{This post was originally published in August 2012, but I thought it was fitting to re-post it as people begin neglecting their New Year's resolutions or goals. My prayer is that we will stay committed to those endeavors that God has laid on our hearts.}

Starting a new project or setting personal goals can be daunting. While you may begin with great motivation, at some point your energy will start to wane, and you may decide you just don't have the time or willpower to keep on. And that's when you quit.

I'm on Week 6 of Couch to 5K, and I'm tired. My knees and legs ache from continuous pounding on unforgiving concrete surfaces. My lungs scream for air as I flop down the road like a startled goose. A six-foot red head, pale and freckly, attempting to run. Ha! I want to quit just thinking about how silly I must look.

Besides the aforementioned, I can think of a dozen other excuses for not running. But in my heart, I really want to follow through.

Why?

Because I don't want to be a quitter. 

And because I don't want my girls to be quitters.

To keep focused when you want to quit, let me suggest three helpful tips. They have 
helped me stay motivated thus far and given me purpose to my running.

1. Revisit your original goals. When you first decided to embark on this endeavor, you probably had a few things you hoped to accomplish. Perhaps, like me, you wanted to lose a few pounds and strengthen and tone your body, or maybe you hoped to run in a race or eat healthier foods. Remembering the reasons why you're doing what you're doing will motivate you when you want to throw in the towel. 

2. Find someone to hold you accountable. Whatever your goals, you need someone to share your struggles and victories with: a personal cheerleader. That person might be your partner, a trainer, or a close friend, but he or she should be someone who will go drill sergeant on you when you need it or empathize at times too, a person who has your best interests at heart. For me, that person is my husband who without complaint carries the baby in the Ergo, pushes the toddler in the stroller, and helps the preschooler on her bicycle while I run. God bless him!

3. Reward yourself. If you need more motivation, plan special rewards for yourself once you reach specific milestones. For example, tomorrow I will run for 25 minutes straight--no breaks! I plan to treat myself to some new running shoes for my hard work. Of course, you don't need to spend a lot of money {I just need new shoes badly!}. You might treat yourself to a new workout top or some tunes to exercise to, or you might pamper yourself with a manicure or a spa day.  The key is to reward yourself for your hard work, so you will not lose sight of your goals.

It's easy to quit: Anyone can do it. But I believe in the old saying, "Quitters never win, and winners never quit." Persevering in the tough times strengthens your resolve and motivates you to try even more new adventures in the future.

"Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:30-31

What keeps YOU focused when you want to quit?

 Keri

Photo courtesy of Sheffield Tiger at Creative Commons.

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