“The secret to winning is learning how to lose. That is, learning to bounce back from failure and disappointment—undeterred—and continuing to steadily march toward your potential. Your response to failure determines your capacity for success.” -James Clear, author of Atomic Habits
Per Merriam-Webster, undeterred means “not discouraged or prevented from acting.”
What a great word to serve as an anchor for neurologic recovery.
Not just winning this one battle, but playing the long game.
But… Houston, we have a problem.
“Losing” (a.k.a. trying to do something that used to be simple for the hundredth time and still falling short) isn’t exactly “fun.”
Stack up a few of those days in a row, and it’s normal to wonder what’s the point.
But this is where my friend James is right.
The pursuit itself matters.
Every time you show up and try again, even when it feels pointless, you’re building something that can’t be measured on a chart or a checklist.
You’re building endurance.
You’re learning to tolerate frustration without quitting.
You’re figuring out what you’re made of.
And I’ll tell you from experience, after enough rounds of “fail, adjust, try again”… what once felt impossible starts to feel a little less scary.
It’s not about perfection.
It’s about showing up.
Some days you’ll move an inch.
Some days it’ll feel like you’re standing still.
But you’re still in the game.
And that’s what matters.
Stay undeterred.
Keep showing up.
You’re doing the hard work of making the impossible possible.
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