Never Give Up! Never Surrender!

Posted on | June 25, 2010 | 2 Comments

In the brilliant 1999 film, Galaxy Quest, one of the oft-repeated taglines was “Never give up! Never surrender!” It’s a great tagline, especially when dealing with aliens, rock monsters and the unknown possibilities of the Omega 13. But it’s a pretty good philosophy for the rest of us to have as well.

How many times do we set out to do something, only to encounter our own mental stumbling blocks? How many times do we think, “I can’t,” when we’re exhausted and drained, mentally or physically? No matter how much we want something, no matter how hard we push ourselves, there are times when we think we can’t go on. We’re only human after all – we can’t be expected to have the strength of Superman or the resiliency of Mr. Incredible.

We have limits, of course, but I suspect that, more often than not, we imagine our limits are lower or smaller than they actually are. We psyche ourselves out mentally and end up believing that we can’t accomplish something when, in fact, we actually can. We are capable of so much more than we think we are. And if you don’t believe me, just ask John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.

Yesterday, the American and the Frenchman finished what is now, officially, the longest game in tennis history: 11 hours and 5 minutes, with the bulk of the fight taking place in a 70-68 fifth set. It took three days for the game to finish, an opening-round game that should have been fairly straightforward. Instead, it became an incredible testament to both athletes, their exceptional determination and the awesome ability we have to push ourselves to the most extraordinary limits.

I’ve never played an 11-hour tennis match. I haven’t faced the same circumstances Isner and Mahut faced this week, but I have had my own obstacles to overcome and my own challenges to face. Sometimes, when I think of all that I have to accomplish and even all that I want to accomplish, I’m paralyzed by the sense that it’s all too much. In college, I used to threaten that I was going to drop out and join the circus. Over the last six months, during nearly every workout, there has been a point where I’ve wanted to quit before I finished. But each time, I’ve managed to find the strength and determination within me to follow through.

When we’re in the middle of whatever we’re trying to do, it’s hard to imagine an end, let along actually see one. At that moment, when it seems like giving up is the only option, we can surprise – and reward – ourselves by digging deep and finding our ability to be great, no matter what we’re doing. No one ever regrets not giving up.

I realize some naysayers might say you need more than just determination to succeed or you need more than an incredible strength and will, but they would be wrong – because today, after spending three straight days playing in one of the most epic games the tennis world has ever seen, John Isner get back on the court and play again – twice.

“Never give in — never, never, never, never.” – Winston Churchill

[Photo Credit: Google Image Search]

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