Margi Starr, Springfield, Ohio
Chapter 9—Persistence
I was twelve years old when I started taking piano lessons. The previous summer I had begged my friend, Shelley, to teach me what she learned in her piano lessons. By the time I took my first formal lesson in the beginning of 7th Grade, I was able to skip the entire first level and go right to the second.
I loved piano lessons.
Each week I would go for my thirty-minutes with Mrs. Stephens, my piano teacher. I would play through the songs she had assigned the previous week. Based on my performance, she gave me colored stars and when I played especially well, I was able to choose a sticker. Sounds a little silly perhaps, but I was really motivated by those rewards.
After a while the piano pieces became increasingly difficult. Learning the scales was painstaking; they took more work to perfect. I remember pounding the piano keys and storming off to my bedroom. I felt like quitting. My overwhelming frustration caused me to be not-so-nice to the others in my family. I would never be able to learn that “stupid song!”
Within a couple days of consistent practice, the piano piece became easier to play. By the end of the week, my fingers moved over the keys easily. I was able to add phrasing and appropriate dynamics, bringing the piece to life. Sometimes it would take more than one week to “polish” it. But eventually, my efforts paid off and I experienced an intrinsic reward more valuable than stars and stickers.
Over the years I’ve come to recognize that right before I have “BREAKTHROUGH,” I tend to experience great frustration. I tend to compare myself with others who are farther down the road of success. The frustration rises within me to such a degree my perspective is completely skewed.
It’s not a place I like to be. It’s murky and lonely. Not as dark as a slimy pit, such as clinical depression, but definitely a place where the negative emotions surge.
The Psalmist says, “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:5)
I’ve been in such a place the past few weeks. I didn’t want to do Self-Talk. I didn’t want to take real Action. In recent months I have found Customers, but haven’t found Distributors. Others in my company are signing up new Distributors and achieving the levels I desire. I was overwhelmed not only with a sense of frustration, but admittedly, jealously (that Green-Eyed Monster!) and shame (What’s wrong with me?”) Yes, those nasty negative emotions had moved into my mind with their suitcases packed.
I felt like a failure…once again.
But wait! I’ve felt this feeling before…right before Breakthrough. Is it possible that what I’m experiencing is simply the frustration that comes right before the piano piece becomes easy to play? Right before the notes of a scale in C# (C-sharp) become comfortable to maneuver?
By my senior year in high school, I was a fairly accomplished pianist. Even now I still love sitting down at my piano and playing through the familiar pieces. My fingers have never forgotten how to play through some of those complicated measures. Those hours of practice are still paying off today.
I didn’t allow Frustration to totally derail me from learning Music; and I will not allow Frustration to derail me from pursuing my goal of Network Marketing Success.
I choose to believe instead that I’m on the edge of BREAKTHROUGH.
Thank you to Michael & Linda and this Mastermind Group… I appreciate each of you!
Margi Starr
Springfield, Ohio
Lesson plan from Margi Starr on chapter 9 for the 30 day mental cleanse.
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