Did you ever wonder about the trees on a steep hillside? How did they get there? Why did they thrive and persevere in the climate that has been increasingly harsher? Today, I am talking about my experience observing nature and sharing some tips on building grit and perseverance.
Key Takeaways
- The article reflects on the resilience of trees growing on steep hills and how they thrive without assistance, illustrating perseverance.
- It encourages readers to find inspiration in nature, highlighting the importance of grit and persistence in challenges.
- Practical tips for building perseverance include reframing setbacks, breaking goals into small steps, and grounding oneself in motivation.
- The article emphasizes the need for community support and celebrating small victories in the journey of growth.
- Ultimately, it reminds us that just like trees, we can keep growing, even in difficult conditions.
My Mindful Walk
In February, we decided to take a break from the frigid weather and head to our home in Las Cruces, New Mexico, where our daughter is going to medical school. It was a wonderful break from the snow that lingered for several months back in Pennsylvania.
We took a walk on the Dripping Spring Natural Area Trail. A trail in nature doesn't just give you exercise. This area "boasts excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including excellent year-round viewing of red-tailed hawk, Gambel's quail, golden eagle, and rock squirrel, and excellent year-round viewing of desert mule deer and coyotes. Also watch for black-throated sparrow, ladder-backed woodpecker, verdin, black-tailed gnatcatcher, lesser nighthawk, Scott's oriole, cactus wren, desert cottontail, and collared and tree lizard in the spring and summer." from the trail website.
We saw (affiliate) some birds and other wildlife, people walking the trails, but what struck me the most were the trees. Yes, there were a handful of the same type of trees, full-grown on steep hills that were thriving. I couldn't get close enough to them to figure out what tree they were, but it made me think.
I was in awe of how these trees grew from seed to saplings to mature trees on a steep hill, where no other plant life dared to live.
No landscaper came to water them. No one cleared the rocky soil or staked them upright after a windstorm. No one gave them a second chance if they struggled. They simply grew - leaning into the challenge, anchoring their roots deeper with every gust of wind, and reaching toward the sun one day at a time.
Backstory
As a member of the Arbor Day Foundation for over 30 years, I have grown many trees from saplings. We purchased a new build home in the mid-90s, and there was only one tree on our property. Since I am a tree lover, our property overlooks the wetlands where we could plant trees and plants, but there are no structures near the wetlands, which could impede the stream's water flow.
So, I decided to grow trees from saplings the Arbor Day Foundation gave me as part of my yearly membership. Over the years, we planted four blue spruces and two fruit trees (Crabapple and Washington Hawthorn), and only the blue spruces survived. We then planted a Willow Tree and a Japanese Maple. And we received one evergreen sapling for my son and every kid in the school for the five-year anniversary of Evergreen Elementary School in our area. All these trees created the privacy we so desperately needed over the years, and I am so grateful for them.
But more saplings we tried to grow didn't survive. It was sad, but it happens. And honestly? Even that is part of the lesson.
Getting back to my walk on the trail, I reflected on my experience keeping these trees alive and thriving. I was in awe of how these trees did it themselves, with no help from anyone like me, because no one would want to climb the mountain and take care of them.
Moving forward
It dawned on me while watching these trees that what they were doing was a true example of Grit(affiliate) (courage and resolve) and Perseverance (persistence in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success). Surviving, day in and day out, moving forward, becoming strong and growing. We, as humans, can truly be inspired by these simple plants doing this so naturally, without beating ourselves up or feeling unsuccessful and sad.
We are people who think too much. And that thinking is stopping us from doing. We need to take on the view of the resilient trees on the steep hill, surviving just because they wanted to, and not allowing anything to stop them.
Perseverance Tips
But how do we do that? Here are some practical approaches to building perseverance and grit in your own life.
Reframe setbacks as data, not failure.
When something doesn't work, ask "What did I learn?" instead of "Why can't I do this?" This shift in focus helps you stay curious rather than defeated. Every attempt provides information on what to adjust next. Remember, tomorrow is a new day.
Those trees on the hillside didn't "fail" the years they were saplings bending in the wind. Every storm strengthened their root system. Your setbacks are doing the same for you.
Break intimidating goals into ridiculously small steps.
Instead of "write a book," start with "write for 10 minutes." Small wins create momentum and prove to yourself that progress is possible. The consistency matters more than the size of each step.
If you know me, you know I love my small goals and share several tasks you can easily break down to reach them over time. Feel free to visit my post below for small wins to help you get started on your way to success.
- Quick Wins: 30+ Areas You Can Declutter in Just 15-30 Minutes
- 15 Organizing Tasks that take 15 Minutes Each Day
- 15 Minute Decluttering Tasks Challenge - Declutter Your Home in 31 Days with Videos
- How to Do the Tidy Up Fast Method
- 12 - 15 Minute Kitchen Tasks That Will Keep The Space Organized Always
- Eleven Easy 15 Minute Closet Organizing Tasks to clear out the Closet
- 31 Days 15 Minute Organizing List Challenge
- 31 Mini Organizing Projects
A tree doesn't grow overnight. It adds one tiny ring at a time - and one day, you look up and realize just how tall it has grown.
Root Yourself in Your "Why"
Trees don't grow toward the light because someone told them to. It's simply in their nature. When you connect deeply with why something matters to you - your family, your health, your dream, your purpose - you stop needing outside motivation to keep going. Your "why" becomes the root system that holds you steady when life gets hard.
Take a few minutes to write down why your goal truly matters. Not the surface answer, but the real one underneath. That clarity will carry you further than any motivational quote (affiliate) ever could.
Embrace the Season You're In
Trees don't bloom in winter, and they don't apologize for it. They conserve energy, strengthen their roots, and trust that spring will come. Sometimes perseverance doesn't look like pushing harder - it looks like resting strategically and trusting your own timing.
If you're in a slow season right now, that doesn't mean you're failing. It may mean you're building something deeper underground that will support tremendous growth when the time is right.
Expect the messy middle.
Almost every worthwhile goal has a phase where the initial excitement fades, but you're not yet seeing results. Knowing that this is a normal phase of the process, not a sign you're on the wrong path, will help you push through instead of quitting right before the breakthrough.
These trees may have experienced seasons of stunt growth due to factors such as severe weather, drought, or other external or underground sources. But they continued to grow.
And you can too.
Find Your Groove
Look closely at those photos. The trees on that hillside weren't entirely alone - there were several of them, dotting the ridge together. Even in the harshest conditions, they grew in proximity to one another.
You don't have to do hard things alone, either. Surrounding yourself with even one or two people who believe in your potential - a friend, a mentor, an accountability partner - makes perseverance far more sustainable. Community is not a luxury. For humans, it's as essential as sunlight.
Celebrate the Fact That You're Still Standing
One of the most underrated acts of grit is simply showing up again after a hard day. You don't have to have reached the summit yet. The fact that you're still here, still trying, still growing - that counts. Give yourself credit for it.
Those trees on that New Mexico hillside didn't know they were inspiring anyone that February afternoon. They were just doing what they were made to do - growing, persevering, reaching.
So are you.
What inspires you to keep going when things get hard? I'd love to hear in the comments below! And if this resonated with you, please share it with someone who could use a reminder of their own resilience today. Need help to find your grit? Check out my Virtual Organizing Consultations and let's get you back on track.
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Julie Bestry says
I'm not an outdoorsy person; given my choice, I'd almost never be out in nature. But I do appreciate the lesson (and the gorgeous photography), and am impressed with each of the points you made. I especially loved, "The consistency matters more than the size of each step" because I'm a huge believer that the tiniest of steps taken over and over again, consistently (like water dripping onto a stone) can have the greatest impact.
You're right about seeing setbacks as data points, but that can be so difficult for us to do on our own. I think translating from one perspective to another works best when you are teaching or explaining the data points and lessons learned to someone else; it's easier to view things dispassionately when the focus isn't on ourselves.
People often forget to celebrate the fact that they are, indeed, still standing. When my clients need to be reminded that their resilience in just managing to survive is important, I play them Elaine Stritch singing Sondheim's "I'm Still Here" from Follies. I'm glad you're reminding people to celebrate themselves achieving in this way!
Sabrina Quairoli says
That's great, Julie! That is one of my favorite songs! Thanks for stopping by and joining on the conversation.
Janet Barclay says
When I'm in a difficult situation, I think back on all the challenges I've successfully navigated in the past and reach out to people who may be able to help in some way. It keeps me going!
Linda Samuels says
How wonderful that you got a break from winter's snow and cold to retreat to New Mexico! I identify deeply with your love and appreciation of nature.
Coincidentally, I'm reading a book about trees now. One of the things it reminded me of was how trees help each other to thrive. More established trees will send nutrients to smaller trees that need them. They even send extra nutrients when 'fellow trees' are sick or have a blight. So talk about community! While many trees aren't nurtured by humans, they are definitely supported by other trees. Such an amazing discovery!
You mentioned how important community is. I'm with you 100%. We aren't meant to walk this earth by ourselves. We're here to help and support one another.
Seana Turner says
Nature is amazing! How smart of you to "get out of dodge" this winter and head to New Mexico! My daughter used to live in Tucson, and the scenery is truly special.
On a light note, I tried planting a sapling in my backyard. The deer ate it (they eat everything I plant).
That said, I love your thought about thinking of setbacks as learning. We continue to learn our whole lives, which is why older people are full of wisdom. Perfectionism kills perseverance. Reframing our perspective definitely helps us try again. It's all about battling that discouragement.
I wrote a post once about a tree that had persevered, sought the sun, and was still growing. So inspiring, right?