Progress Isn't Perfect
Perseverance is the most important factor in achieving any goal, despite the setbacks or less-than-ideal weeks.
As we move into the back half of January, I wanted to share a gentle reminder that progress is never perfect. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to read more books or you’re committed to working harder this semester to improve/maintain your GPA, leaving room for imperfection is essential to staying on track and ultimately reaching your goals.
As a previously involved pharmacy student, I can say with certainty that didactics are both an absolute whirlwind and a true ultramarathon. Some days, it felt as if I hadn't taken a break in weeks; there were always assignments, lab practicals, exams, and projects to focus on. Not only that, many pharmacy students are also balancing extracurriculars and part-time jobs alongside school!
Less specific to pharmacy students, work, chores, and all the other responsibilities of daily life can leave little time to pause and breathe. Sometimes, life gets so chaotic that you fall behind on your goals. For those trying to read more this year, maybe you didn’t have time to pick up a book this week, but that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Allowing yourself leeway is essential so that when things don’t go according to plan, you don’t equate imperfection with defeat. In my opinion, perseverance is the most important factor in achieving any goal, despite the setbacks or less-than-ideal weeks.
With that in mind, no matter what your goals may be or any setbacks you may have already encountered, I hope this reminder encourages you to get back on track and keep moving forward! As always, remember to make space for rest and recovery when you can; doing so is key to avoiding burnout 🔑
*Information presented on RxTeach does not represent the opinion of any specific company, organization, or team other than the authors themselves. No patient-provider relationship is created.