How Many Times Do I Have to Try?

Hey Reader,

At 59, I’ve found myself asking, “How many times do I have to try to get this right?” More often than I’d like to admit. It’s a question that constantly nags at me, maybe in the stillness of a late night when I’m trying to figure out how WordPress works or when the day’s gone sideways again because I still didn’t finish that piece of writing. It’s like an old tune, part frustration, part stubborn hope, playing in the back of my mind.

And still, I keep at it.

I’m learning it’s not about nailing it perfectly or always making the right call on the first go. It’s about sticking with it, even when it’s tough, even when the wins feel far off. Life’s taught me that.

How many times do I stumble and lose my drive? Honestly, more than I care to count. Some days, I’m worn out. Discouraged. I forget what I’m even chasing.

Life has a way of knocking me down with unexpected challenges, and sometimes, simply rising again and pushing through feels like an achievement in itself.

But here’s what’s sinking in at this stage of life: there’s grace in the trying. It’s in those quiet moments when I decide to keep going, even if it’s just whispering, “I’ll try again tomorrow” after a rough day. Grace doesn’t care about perfection; it’s there for the effort. It catches me when I trip and reminds me, I’m still enough.

I used to think messing up meant I was failing at something. Now, I see it’s just part of the ride. Every try, every stumble, every hard-won lesson is shaping me. Making me tougher. Kinder. More patient. And yeah, reminding me I’m human, just like everyone else.

So maybe the real question isn’t “How many times do I have to try to get it right?” Maybe it’s “How many times am I willing to show up for myself, even when it’s hard?”

Because that’s where the good stuff happens, in showing up, in trying again, in finding that quiet grit to not quit. If you’re feeling tired or doubting whether it’s worth it, let me just say: ‘it is.’ Every little step you take is planting something good. You might not see it blooming yet, but trust me, it’s there, growing under the surface.

To those of us striving for success, let’s remember the many who came before us, faced failure, and never gave up. Keep going, my friend. We’ve got this.

By the way, I watched a YouTube program–10 Famous Failures Who Never Gave Up and Succeeded in Life by Develop Good Habits.

I was tempted to embed the entire documentary here but wasn’t sure, so head over to YouTube and check it out. It is inspiring! I will not say more. I share my thoughts with you and maybe you too can journal your thoughts to remind yourself that you are a work in progess.

Keep writing, keep creating!

:) jjf’25