Crossfire
How To Build The Character Of Completing Whatever We Start
By Herman Githinji
In a quaint farm town south of Victoria called Shepperton , I had the pleasure of meeting James , a wheat and barley farmer . James , a genial man , has crafted for himself a charming farmhouse , which he now rents out on Airbnb . Intrigued , we decided to rent it for a weekend , and James joined us on several evenings .
As we conversed one night about the state of his farming business , he revealed that after enduring four years of financial struggle , the past two years had finally brought substantial profits . He expressed optimism , citing future weather forecasts that indicated continued success .
I also have a tale about my friend who ventured into wheat farming in Kenya . Ken , always eager for new ventures , leased a 10-acre farm upon hearing about the lucrative prospects in Narok . The initial season proved promising , bolstering his confidence . Encouraged by his success , he expanded to 50 acres the following season . However , his optimism was short-lived . During that season , marauding elephants invaded his farm overnight , devastating his wheat crop . Disheartened , Ken abandoned farming altogether .
Farming isn ' t the only endeavor from which people walk away . My niece relocated from Melbourne to Townsville for a higher-paying job . Melbourne , situated in Southeast Australia , endures four months of harsh winter , whereas Townsville , located in the far Northeast , experiences scorching summers with temperatures averaging nearly thirtyseven degrees Celsius . She arrived in Townsville in March , greeted by cool weather and verdant landscapes . However , when the summer heat became unbearable , she decided to move on .
I have encountered individuals who abandon promising careers due to a single unpleasant incident , while others switch schools ’ multiple times over trivial grievances like unpalatable food or unfashionable uniform colors . Although it ' s acceptable to leave a job , business , sport , or a relationship when necessary , habitual quitting reflects poorly on one ' s character . During my tenure at EABL , my seasoned boss emphasized the importance of assessing the job applicants based
Knowing when to quit has its wisdom , but chronic quitting indicates a deficiency in decision-making and a reluctance to confront the consequences of one ' s actions . We cannot run away from the principles that keep us grounded on the path to our goals , and expect to succeed in anything . Success demands resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity .
on the frequency they changed jobs or companies .
Why is this aspect so crucial ? Because success and career growth are predicated on our decision-making processes , mental resilience , and awareness of the consequences of our choices . These factors are influenced by our assumptions , beliefs , and perceptions of life and its opportunities . Every choice we make has consequences . Staying in a chosen path long enough to deal with those consequences builds an admirable character of maturity and leadership .
Individuals who frequently abandon pursuits often harbor false beliefs that an easier path exists . Life comprises both good and bad seasons , and quitting prematurely denies one the opportunity to weather these inevitable fluctuations . Ken ' s failure as a farmer stemmed not from incompetence but from a lack of perseverance . In contrast , James can be considered successful because he perseveres through the challenges inherent in farming .
Individuals who lack long-term goals are more susceptible to giving up during tough times . James ' s unwavering commitment to his goal of becoming a successful wheat farmer sustains him through adversity . Having a clear objective provides purpose and fortitude , enabling individuals to endure hardships . My own experience at a company that provided subpar lunches didn ' t deter me because I was focused on achieving my overarching objectives . The question was , what was my main goal for joining this company ? Some colleagues whined about it like the quality of the food was a key consideration when they signed up for the job .
Similarly , anticipating and preparing for
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