Perseverance in Recovery: Finding the Best in Us Part 2
- Tim Lineaweaver
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
April 13, 2026
Tim Lineaweaver, Author
Tom O'Connor, Publisher
After my first year of recovery was complete, my head began to clear, and my depression abated. My therapist floated the idea of going back to school. The suggestion flooded me with a familiar anxiety. School had always vexed me. Yet, despite being in recovery, I was still tending bar, not the recommended thing for a sober person, but the only career avenue that could help me stay financially afloat. I was stuck doing something I'd grown to hate, and that left me feeling diminished.
School? Egads!
When I was younger, I tried college twice and dropped out. School made me feel stupid, confirming my status as a "fuck-up." If I didn't understand something right away, I'd flood with anger. Why persist against the inevitable? My therapist saw more in me than I saw in myself. She was perceptive and honest, and if she believed in me, maybe I should believe in myself? I could use my success in sobriety as a blueprint for my college years. Had I not persisted in recovery despite major obstacles and challenges? If I recover, I can pursue my bachelor's degree with the same level of investment.
Opening the Door
I knew that a degree would open doors to a career. So, I vowed to do three things:
Show up. Every day. No more bagging out of class. Consistency will win the day.
Sit up front. Listen and focus.
Join a discussion or ask a question in each class every day. I started community college, made it through two years, then transferred to a four-year school.
Sustained Commitment Equals Perseverance
I recall a challenging course with a professor whose standards were unyielding. My first paper came back covered in red ink and with a large, circled D-. In the past, the grade would have defeated me. Instead, I dug in and took the criticism to heart. I worked harder, sharpened my writing, and eventually earned consistently high grades from this demanding professor. My writing has elevated.
Success
"Freddy Fuck Up" graduated summa cum laude, and the following year began a Master's program, graduating three years later. I say this not to beat my chest, but to convey that, as someone who assumed his own stupidity because of a fractured self-esteem, he succeeded through commitment, discipline, and perseverance.
Read Part 1 of this series
Breaking Through
I discovered that you can break the chains others shackle you with. Great books, art, businesses, and athletic achievements are created through persistence, resilience, and discipline: by striving despite rejection and initial failure. If there's something you want, reach within and find the better aspects of your being.
Use the following list to help you achieve your goals:
Develop clear, concrete goals. Make sure they're yours, not designed to please others. Internal motivation is one key to success.
Break goals into small, measurable steps with timelines. Track progress, celebrate small wins, and revise plans as needed.
Establish daily routines. Energy and outcomes will vary; progress is often jagged, not straight.
Don't be afraid to start small, then gradually increase. Small wins build momentum and confidence.
Consider setbacks as data. Become comfortable with obstacles. It's part of learning and growth. Don't stare at the goal and lament that you're not there. Look back to the beginning and see your progress. You're getting there. Keep going!
Maintain awareness of how you respond to failure. Is your inner dialogue negative, self-effacing, or defeatist? If so, confront those thoughts with self-encouragement and a positive attitude.
Engage with others who are trying similar goals or who have already succeeded. They can encourage you, mentor you, and cheer you on. They'll also help you avoid reinventing the wheel.
Avoid negative people who don't support you. Negativity undermines you; support lifts you.
Remember to practice good self-care. Adequate sleep, a good diet, and exercise help us reach the upper limits of our potential, and, with consistent application, will propel us to success.
You only fail when you give up. Don't give up! Show up even when you're struggling. Eventually, you'll succeed!
Tim Lineaweaver is on our Vital Voyage Blog Editorial Advisory Board and one of our esteemed subject matter experts. He is also a frequent author on our Blog. To learn more, please visit Tim's website at https://www.timlineaweaver.com/
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