Elevating Your Level of Perseverance
Our reaction to challenges
Without warning, life challenges will continue to pop out and surprise or shock us. Sometimes, these surprises can be pleasant ones that we can cheerfully welcome and appreciate. Other times, however, unpleasant challenges can arise and cause despair and weakness in the ones facing them. Some studies that look at human behaviour during pain and crisis try to compare different factors such as gender, culture, background, education, surroundings, and more. Some scholars associate our threshold for physical and mental pain to the level of emotional intelligence we have and our brain’s ability to deal with it.
From a personal observation of many societies I lived in and read about, I noticed that the fewer obstacles some people have in their lives, the poorer they will react to new challenges. In contrast, people who experienced a lot of problems and difficulties in their lives react with more tolerance and perseverance as they seem to have developed a higher threshold level.
For example, when the pandemic hit, some people used to living calmly and in more-developed countries found it extremely challenging to live in isolation and started complaining about all the restrictions that limited their movement or interrupted their daily practices. Conversely, people who survived war or any sort of social or health hardship showed more resilience and complained less.
Why should you increase your level of perseverance?
It is for your own good! You need to be ready to expect the unexpected in order not to be shocked when life challenges and trials arise. Unquestionably, we are all different; however, you need to toughen up and have a high level of tolerance to strongly face challenges with more resilience and persistence for your own sanity and mental wellbeing for three reasons:
First, surrendering to pain, anxiety, and grief might result in you feeling mentally and physically fatigued.
Second, you are the only one who can help you. No matter how many people around you show support and how genuine others’ concern for you is, you are the only one who is capable of fighting your inner battles.
Third, you mean a lot to so many people who love you and count on you and need you to be with them to enjoy life.
How should you increase your level of perseverance?
There is a wealth of resources, books, materials, and videos in addition to experts who use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and offer professional support to help with self-regulation and improving our reaction to stressful situations. There are also simple ideas that have helped many people such as talking things out, practicing relaxation, and using coping techniques. Equally effective is learning more about other people’s survival experiences around the world, remembering what we do have, and being more appreciative of that.
And finally, remember if things are out of your hand and you cannot change all the circumstances around you, it is—without a doubt—within your power to change your perception of things and choose the way you react to situations.
