Ask HN: What Inspires You to Persevere?

2 points | by chistev 3 hours ago

4 comments

  • KenPainter 2 hours ago
    Nothing. Everybody is drawn to activities that bring them quiet satisfaction in both the task and it's completion.

    We think we need perseverance when we get discouraged. Setbacks, dead-ends, conflicting priorities, all of these are discouraging. Too many at once or for too long, we get discouraged and doubt the endeavor.

    Maybe the endeavor is not really yours. Maybe the other demands truly require more of your attention to lay them to rest, then you return to it.

    "Inspiration" is snake oil offered to your lesser self, the self that wants to be on the mountaintop all the time.

  • arnav714412 3 hours ago
    Usually the thought that quitting now would make all the effort so far feel wasted.
  • toomuchtodo 2 hours ago
    Everyone dies, none of this matters. Embrace the suck, better to try, that’s where you’re going to find the joy.
  • bdangubic 1 hour ago
    daughter