Do you ever have those days when you know you need to stay the course but what you really want to do is scream and pull your hair out or throw a temper tantrum that would put any two-year old to shame? I think we all have those days…..
My question to myself is, “how do I motivate myself to stay the course?” Usually this involves a chorus of self-inflicted, “snap out of its” and a concentrated effort to remind myself of all of the individuals in this world who have it much harder than I do. Sometimes this works to motivate me, and sometimes it seems to have some sort of bad negative reciprocal effect that then causes the original frustration and depression to multiply…. thankfully those days do not occur too often.
As I continue to question the path I am on and the direction I am taking, I start to wonder if my course is a non-course. Perhaps, for me, staying the course actually means taking a leap to forge a new path. Scary, yet simultaneously exhilarating.
Today, 145 days ’til 40, I remind myself that staying the course in my life may actually mean doing some off-roading.
~400daystil40
Fortuitous Forty!!! 
fransiweinstein
September 29, 2012 at 00:17
Nothing wrong with off-roading. It often leads to a new and better course. This I know from personal experience.
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:34
Very true!!! 🙂
Another Thousand Words
September 29, 2012 at 00:27
Taking a leap IS scary…but in the end, you’d probably kick yourself if you didn’t, 400! I’d rather be bold than one of those happy with their complacency….
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:34
I agree….. I am not so good at being complacent myself…
The White Pumpkin
September 29, 2012 at 02:13
I struggle immensely with the stay the course issue, especially at this point in my life.. Its nice to know that others feel that multiplying feeling as well. there are days its overwhelming.
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:34
Yes, it can be overwhelming…
Jennifer Stuart
September 29, 2012 at 04:22
Heck yeah! Nobody ever got to some great new place of awesomeness by following another person’s recipe or footsteps. What a great thing to remember that sometimes, breaking away is the thing to do!
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:33
Yes, it definitely is!!! 🙂
Dace
September 29, 2012 at 18:37
sometimes off-roading actually means being on course. Things are never black and white and roads happen to come to a dead end and just a small detour will get you back where you need to go
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:31
Yes, Dace, I agree!
saymber
September 29, 2012 at 20:45
The first thought I had reading this was, “Take a break” and then “too many mind.” Sometimes if we step away and come back to it we get a fresh perspective and the too many mind is just sometimes we can overthink things. The thoughts, questions and emotions start melting together and you can lose clarity…get overwhelmed and just want to as you say, scream and throw up your hands. I wish you well on this journey. Sometimes it’s real tough to break through.
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:30
You are so correct – and it is so easy to over think everything!
Viveka
September 29, 2012 at 23:22
Sometimes we have to go of course … to find something new and exciting – I don’t think our life is one road … it’s many and at time we can get lost, but find our way anyhow.
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 00:30
Sometimes we get lost and we find new and exciting things we would have never discovered!
simon7banks
September 30, 2012 at 11:01
What is the psychological effect on bald people of not being able to tear their hair out?
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 20:23
hehehe – what a great question??? Perhaps you can pull nose or ear hair out instead???? I wonder if wiping off the spray on hair would give the same satisfaction….. 🙂
Lucianus Mauricius
September 30, 2012 at 14:58
What exactly is the course you’ve taken if I may inquire?
400daystil40
September 30, 2012 at 20:22
Oh just the standard work your way through the ranks of your current organization sort of path……….
Lucianus Mauricius
October 1, 2012 at 04:01
Which I’m assuming is teaching in hopes to become dean?
400daystil40
October 1, 2012 at 12:13
Close, but not quite…. am already in leadership…. 🙂
Lucianus Mauricius
October 1, 2012 at 12:18
Good for you 😀
Julie
October 1, 2012 at 19:38
I use chocolate. 😉
400daystil40
October 1, 2012 at 22:41
hehehe!