Endurance

Writing about esoteric ideas is easy.
Staring in the mirror is not.

Last week was the kind of week where the clock is against you and the lights never really go off.

Away from the scaffolding of ivory towers,
what’s still required from time to time is stamina,
to do what’s necessary,
to keep going when others would step away,
even when you’d rather do the same,
to see it through.

For myself and many readers of Duly Noted,
be it clients, stakeholders, or even patients,
others put their trust in us to step in and step up.
And when you brave it, the heat of the coalface is the best extinguisher of doubt.

To understand why a deal must close by a certain time.
To give clarity when everyone else feels the fog.
To carry the weight so others don’t have to.

The beauty of these moments is that they don’t reward polish.
They reward grit.
This isn’t to glamorise hustle.
It’s to admit its place still exists.

You don’t do it for applause.
But sometimes, people notice.

The founder remembers who was by their side on the rollercoaster.
The investor notices who stayed steady.
The colleague recalls who held the line when others could not.

If you had a week like this too, know that you’re not alone.
If you didn’t, know that one day it may be required.

✍️ Note to self:
Endurance is the quietest form of power.