How to Press On During Tough Times

“The only way things even have the opportunity to get better is if you press on.”

In season 25 episode 5, John Eades covers the important topic of pressing on. 

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How to Press On During Challenging Times

During difficult times, it’s essential to take small steps in the right direction. Even if it seems like it, nothing will change immediately.  But at least it has a chance to change down the road. So the only way things even have the opportunity to get better is if you press on.

If you give up, it will never get better.  

If you believe the doubt and negative thoughts creeping into your mind, it will never get better.  

You must press on.  

Here is how I want you press on:

1.Look inward not outward 

If there is ever a time to blame outside forces it’s right now.  It’s the economy’s fault, it’s your CEO’s fault, its a bat’s fault in China. But instead of allowing yourself to blame outside forces, say something different.  “Something has to change IN ME, for things to get better.”

Look inward first to see what you can do on yourself first, instead of the other way. 

While I willingly admit this won’t change your situation immediately, it will have your mindset in the correct place to press on because you will no longer be blaming outside forces, instead, you will look yourself in the mirror.  

2. Don’t be afraid to change it up

Pressing on doesn’t mean you have to beat on the exact same drum every single day and blindly look for different results.  We have all heard the Albert Einstein quote,

“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” 

Albert Einstein

Maybe it’s time to develop different skill sets, pivot the business, or change careers.  Maybe it’s time to start a podcast, make videos for LinkedIn or Instagram, or write a book.  I don’t know what it is but I do know, any journey, no matter how long, has to start somewhere.

Press on by not being afraid to change it up or look for different methods to make it work.  

3. Let the failure roll off and move on.

It’s easy to get down when working hard for something and the results aren’t there.  I am living proof of that the last few weeks. To help me perk up, a mentor of mine said to me, “nobody wants to fail, but success can only happen when it’s safe to fail.”

Give yourself the gift of allowing yourself to fail because failure is not final, failure is feedback.  Now I am not saying you should be shooting for failure, but know it’s just a price you are going to pay by pressing on.  

Closing

After constantly looking inward and not outward, not being afraid to change it up, and allowing yourself to fail, if you are still struggling to press on, do something in service to someone else. It will keep you moving forward!

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About the Author John Eades is the CEO of LearnLoft, a leadership development company making virtual training easy and effective. He was named one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices in Management & Workplace. John is also the author of  Building the Best: 8 Proven Leadership Principles to Elevate Others to Success and host of the “Follow My Lead” Podcast, a show that transfers stories and best practices from today’s leaders to the leaders of tomorrow. You follow him on Instagram @johngeades.