DISQUS

Ali Hale · 1 month ago

Great thoughts here, Sid, and thanks for sharing the story from your dad. When I'm on the receiving end of other people's persistance, I'm often a little torn between admiring their tenacity and wishing they'd take "no" for an answer! Any tips on knowing when NOT to push something? I think the trickiest thing for me is distinguishing between times when I genuinely need to take a different tack and times when I should keep pressing onwards.

Nathalie Lussier · 1 month ago

I sometimes feel the same way Ali. I found that for me I need to really step back and evaluate what it means to me, and how I "feel" in my body before I decide to go for it or change course.

P.S. I get ya with the "people who need to take no for an answer" sometimes thing. ;)

Sid Savara · 1 month ago

Hi Ali,

Haha - I like that, torn between admiration for tenacity and ... not ;)

I agree, it's definitely tricky knowing when is "enough." I don't know that
I have any tips for people to know when they should throw in the towel,
perhaps a follow up article is in order. I find though that most people
have the opposite problem - giving up too easily, when things get just a
little difficult.

I will say one thing - I certainly wouldn't use other people (e.g., someone
saying it's time to give up) as a barometer - I think that it may just
require some risk/reward analysis.

That's a really difficult question - when should we give up. I feel like
there are times I just "know" I've done all I can, but to quantify it down
is tough for me =)

Tristan Lee · 1 month ago

That's a nice lesson that the director taught your father. It is also a valuable lesson that teaches us, even we have have the best plan in our hand, it is useless if we don't put it into action until the end. That is what many people tend to do these days, as the result is nothing gets done.

Sid Savara · 1 month ago

Hi Tristan,

Thanks for your comment! I agree - having a good idea is nothing without
execution =)

Armen Shirvanian · 1 month ago

Hey Sid.

I agree here. The big struggles get the most attention, but making that one step from inaction to small action isn't something that is looked at highly, although it is the difference between someone who is then able to create a lot, and a person who is stuck in the "unable to create" mode.

Those of us who recognize these small changes for the value they have are also the ones who make those small changes, and head toward the right path. It is one of the benefits of awareness.

Good call focusing on where the focus should be.

Sid Savara · 1 month ago

Hey Armen,

Thanks a lot for your comment! I agree, small changes - and head toward
your path =).

psitutor · 1 month ago

So true, tho has me particularly relating this wisdom to tertiary students. Very often they do not acknowledge their little goals; very often their academic culture does not encourage the to do so. Part of my job is to remind them of the goals they are kicking, that they are "still on their feet" and that if they ignore these lil triumphs, they will get in their own way.

The little things are not so little (Anonymous).

Sid Savara · 1 month ago

Hi Char,

Thanks for your comment and excellent point!

I was an SAT tutor for a little while, and I can definitely relate - it's
almost as important (in my opinion) to make sure your students appreciate
their success as it is to teach them and get new concepts into their heads
=)