Overcoming Discouragement

I am having trouble moving forward on my dissertation (possibly book #3). The task seems so daunting! As an extrovert with so many great people living with me, working around me, or living near me, I would much rather spend my time with them rather than taking the time necessary to reflect and to write.

I have been in much more difficult circumstances in my life, but when you are discouraged, you are discouraged. Here a couple of inspiring quotes to lift our spirits! Both come from very unlikely sources:

From Jerry Falwell:

“A man’s greatness is determined by what it takes to discourage him.”

From the San Antonio Spurs locker room (posted in every language spoken by the Spurs players):

“When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the 101st blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it – but all that had gone before.” – Jacob Riis (a Danish-American journalist and photographer)

Update:  Thanks to those who commented or emailed asking about my latest project.  I appreciate your prayers and any advice as I am working on a dissertation about organizing innovation.  

Showing 5 comments
  • Henry Zonio

    Thanks for the encouraging quotes… now I can stop procrastinating 🙂

  • Sam.

    So what’s book number 2?

  • Phil

    Don’t be discouraged, keep plugging away. From someone stuck half way through a dissertation I feel your pain. I have also found that a deadline is great encouragement to do something.

  • Joe Miller

    Are you doing a DMin? I did not know that. Where?

  • Keith Walters

    What are you doing your dissertation on???

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