In other words: going until you’ve exhausted all options—and then some—before you even consider giving up.
I’ve learned that when you want something—when you truly want to achieve a goal—the only thing that matters is focusing on that goal and blocking out the noise.
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it seemed impossible to achieve what you set out to do?
Maybe you didn’t show up for an exam because you were convinced you’d fail, or you turned back on the way to a job interview because you thought you wouldn’t get the job. Maybe you decided there was no point in rushing to an appointment because you were certain you’d be late anyway. Or, perhaps, you listened to all those voices—whether from others or in your own head—telling you, “You won’t make it,” “You won’t achieve it,” or worse, “You won’t achieve anything at all.”
I’ve learned that when you want something—when you truly want to achieve a goal—the only thing that matters is focusing on that goal and blocking out the noise. Ignore the doubts, the negativity, and the naysayers. Sure, belief in yourself is important, but what’s even more crucial—and here’s my point—you cannot stop the process.
You cannot stop what you’re doing just because you think it won’t happen.
If you stop, you’re robbing yourself of the outcome you’re working toward. You’ll never know if success was just one more step away.
You must exhaust every option, use every tool in your toolbox, and give it everything you’ve got before even thinking of giving up. Otherwise, you’re not just giving up on the goal—you’re giving up on yourself.
Let me share a personal example.
One day, my wife Terri and I were driving, desperate to get somewhere to refill the gas in our motorhome. Without it, we wouldn’t have heating for the night. The nearest station that could fill our motorhome’s tank was 30 miles away, and it was already late. We had just one minute left before closing time when, 50 yards from the station, I took a wrong turn.
It wasn’t a simple fix either. I had to drive to a roundabout a quarter-mile away to turn around—no shortcuts allowed on a dual carriageway.
Terri, understandably, said, “Just leave it. It’ll be closed by the time we get there.”
But I couldn’t let myself assume it was over—not until it was actually over. There was a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless. So, I went the extra mile (literally), drove to the station, and found the staff just about to leave.
And guess what? They let us fill up.
If I had given up, we would have spent a cold night without heating. Instead, by refusing to decide it was over prematurely, I wrote my own outcome.
The story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:22–33.
This is an interesting story—even if you don’t read the Bible every day, or even at all. You can’t deny that it’s filled with lessons written thousands of years ago that still hold incredible value and can help us navigate life even today.
After sending His disciples ahead to cross the lake, Jesus stayed behind to pray. As the disciples struggled against a storm in the middle of the night, Jesus approached them, walking on the water. Imagine their fear—they thought He was a ghost! But Jesus reassured them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Peter, always bold, said: “Lord, if it’s You, tell me to come to You on the water.”
And Jesus said: “Come.”
So Peter stepped out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. For a moment, he did the impossible—he walked on water! But when he saw the wind and the waves, doubt crept in. He began to sink and cried out, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Peter’s story holds a profound lesson: he didn’t wait passively in the boat for a solution. He took action, using everything he had to move toward his goal. He faltered only when he doubted himself and his ability to trust in Jesus. Even then, Jesus helped him—but not until Peter had taken that bold first step.
The lesson here is clear: take action, exhaust your options, and keep faith in your purpose. Don’t let fear or doubt rob you of what you’re capable of achieving.
Just like Peter stepping out onto the water, I learned that faith isn’t about waiting for everything to work out perfectly—it’s about taking action, even when the odds seem against you. Never assume something is over until you’ve exhausted all your options. When you stop too soon ( when you give up or don’t turn up), you don’t just lose a battle—you rob yourself of the chance to win, to be who you want to be.
What about you?
Have you ever felt like giving up too soon, but persevered? Or maybe you have a story of trying your best and failing? Please share your experiences in the comments—whether they’re positive or not. Your journey might inspire someone else to take that extra step toward their goal!
We are all capable of great things if we refuse to give up too soon.
Stephen
Ps: Don’t forget to have a little faith—sometimes that’s all it takes to keep moving forward.
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