You spend a majority of your childhood in a classroom learning to read, write and do math so you can eventually become a productive member of society. If you’re fortunate, you get to turn your primary and secondary education into college, and maybe even graduate school.

For all the good that structured, formal education provides, I do think it has some pitfalls. One of those is the instant feedback you become accustomed to receiving. You take a test and almost immediately receive a grade. After 16 weeks, the semester comes to an end. And after a few short years, you graduate and move on to the next level.

But eventually, you graduate for the last time. There are no more tests to take, grade books to fill, report cards to review, or final exams to prepare for. It’s just life. And life doesn’t happen in semesters but in seasons. You still take tests, but they come in the form of job performance and business growth. And what used to require bursts of energy now feels like an endless marathon.

It’s a hard transition to make, especially in an instant society with automatic car washes, Amazon Prime shipping and on-demand meals delivered by your favorite food subscription service. Add into the mix the potential for setbacks, obstacles and delays, and life can feel like it has completely derailed in a short period of time.

Cultivation requires the persistence to stay on target and the patience to see it through. But life doesn’t always happen in a straight line. There is not a course syllabus to follow, nor a universal student advisor to help you plan out your next semester. That’s scary and exciting all at the same time.

What to Do When It All Falls Apart

Expect it to feel like things are falling apart from time to time. There is no map for where you are going; there is only a compass. Don’t expect life to be a series of wins without also anticipating a few losses along the way.

Reconnect with your why. This is why the discipline of personal reflection is so important. You won’t be able to push through the resistance unless your desire is greater than the obstacle in front of you.

Stay focused on your goals. It won’t always feel like you’re making progress. In fact, sometimes it will feel like you are standing still. As long as you know you are doing the right things to set you up for success, focus on consistent execution and delivery of your goals.

Invest in the people around you. Success rarely happens apart from great relationships. And it’s in the midst of those relationships that people earn the right to speak into your life at just the right time. You’ll need those people to help you weather the storm, too.

Your setback is really just a setup for what’s next.

Be willing to grow and adapt over time. Obstacles are often a great opportunity to evaluate your thinking and determine what needs to change in your thinking or commitments to position you for success moving forward.

Life Is an Endurance Sport

My professional career has been a series of twists and turns. I started out as a sports broadcaster in one of the largest markets in the country. Through a series of events, I ended up feeling called to ministry and became a pastor. Eventually, life took another unexpected pivot, and I found myself serving as a dean in an academic setting. And eventually, I became a university president.

If I had not opened myself up to learn from the successes and failures along the way, I would not be where I am today. No one gets to thrive in life without experiencing a level of resistance from time to time.

Sometimes it will feel like the whole world is standing against you. Other times, it will feel like the whole world is rooting for you. Either way, you must remain true to your mission and the divine design that is already inside you.

I’ve never been known to love endurance running like some people. I’m fascinated by those who are willing to run extreme distances though. I remember asking one guy how he was able to do it. His answer has stayed with me.

He runs one mile at a time. Every mile is a little different. But if he runs the current mile, the next mile and then next mile, he’ll eventually achieve his goal. I would say that’s not just good running advice; that’s good life advice, too.

Cultivation Is a Process

Cultivation takes time, energy and effort. Sometimes you need to prune good things to make room for even better things. Thriving in life is not something you do. Instead, it’s a result of a disciplined approach to doing the right things, in the right way and for the right reasons.

You won’t always get it right. And sometimes you’ll get set back on your heels through no fault of your own. There will be seasons of growth and seasons of inactivity. The key is to keep moving forward, even when everything inside you is telling you to give up.

When life feels like it’s falling apart, it’s simply an opportunity to let go of habits, thinking and disciplines that are no longer productive so you can make room for new ones. Your setback is really just a setup for what’s next.

You can cultivate your success, and you can learn to thrive even when it falls apart. I believe in you, and I need you to believe in yourself, too. Big things are ahead!

Identify your greatest obstacle to success. Write down what would have to change in your thinking, commitments or disciplines to remove this obstacle from your path. Decide what steps you will take today to make this happen.