Five Ways to Defeat Discouragement

When pursuing goals in life such as educational or career-related agendas, it is inevitable that one will face a snag or crisis from time to time. This often creates discouragement and the temptation to quit. A problem arises when quitting the first time leads to a pattern of quitting and one's reputation is smeared with the term unstable. Though feelings of uncertainty are normal during adversity, it is crucial to respond with a strategy to resist the temptation to quit. Some ways to defeat discouragement are detailed below.

1. Focus on the purpose or the reason for getting involved in the first place.

If people find that they don't fit in with a group of people, they must ask themselves, Was their purpose of taking on the career or educational opportunity to make friends or be liked or was it to learn or earn income? Feeling unappreciated and discouraged has little to do with one's goal of learning information that one needs to know or earning the income that one needs to make.

2. Focus on the larger picture that lies ahead.

Don't sweat the small stuff because it is only short term. A person's feelings may be hurt temporarily, but if he or she gives up, he or she is affecting his or her future. In other words, one's short-term emotions are controlling long-term decisions. Remember that the biggest rewards lie at the end of the journey, and they surpass hardships.

3. Realize that treasures lie in unlikely places.

Success often comes when one is outside of his or her comfort zone.

4. View adversity as a test that leads to promotion.

Adversity is a test that one either passes or fails. One doesn't need to quit because major tests always follow a long trial that is about to be over right before an advancement to the next level.

5. Practice self-control.

Discouraged individuals often underestimate the power that they possess and let situations take control of them rather having control over the situation. Temptations are easier to resist when one is not quick to react and when one exercises patience and faith. The Bible addresses discouragement with the verse in Proverbs 6:23: Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life. This passage reveals that individuals should not wear their heart strings on their sleeves or be tender-hearted.

The basic concept to take away is that people can defeat discouragement by making it their goals to endure rather than quit. Quitting is the easy way out and if individuals quit, they will never see the treasure that was waiting for them if they had stayed. Therefore, it is vital to be diligent, making it a priority to complete one's goals.