Savor the Little Victories

[Christopher B.]

Like most anyone who has been running headfirst into their "middle years", I have dealt with a few things in my life.  Some of them have been very hard on me, especially in the past few years.  But, something I've learned through those experiences is the importance in savoring the little victories.  Make no mistake, little victories are how wars are won.  What may at first like seem small, insignificant wins -- a skirmish here, a skirmish there -- are often what it takes to shift the momentum, and ultimately, turn the tide. 

In the fall of 2016, I left home to serve overseas.  It was something I’d worked hard for, trained for, and was deeply personal for me.  A few months later, things went sideways.  I nearly died & had to be MEDEVAC’d out.  I was heartbroken.  I watched all I had worked for, and all I’d hoped to accomplish, collapse around me.  I felt like a failure, and I was embarrassed.  I felt I’d failed my team, failed my girl, and failed myself.  For a long time after, I wished I had died then and there.  I spent far too long thinking about all that had already happened, and not enough time thinking about what could come next.  It cost me in many ways, including eventually losing the love of my life.  That was on me.  I was responsible.  Why?  Because I lost sight of the little victories.

Brandon (@Brandon Turner) and David (@David Greene) often speak of simply making a decision.  Doing something -- anything -- is almost always better than continued stagnation.  And, such a decision need not be singularly life-changing in nature.  It could be as simple as sending an email to a realtor for the very first time, asking a few questions about a listing that interests you.  Perhaps, it’s spending an hour researching credit scores to develop a solid understanding of how they work and which factors carry the most weight.  Or, you may choose to create something similar to the screenshot I’ve attached to this post.

Do I think my little calculator can compete with the professional tools offered here on BP?  No, of course not.  But, that really wasn't the point.  Taking the time to build it from the ground up taught me much about how to think, what to consider, and, arguably most importantly, why.

Although such baby steps may appear shallow at first glance, their depth is revealed through their effect on your mindset, and on your self-confidence.

If you are reading this, that must mean the day isn’t over yet.  Start your fight.

And, remember to savor the little victories.