Resilience, Renewal, & Reward

Last time, we considered how balance, boundaries, and being protect what matters most in ordinary seasons. But when life presses us beyond ordinary, when pressures pile up gradually and then break suddenly, we discover our need for resilience.

Ernest Hemingway captured that pattern in The Sun Also Rises. One character asks, “How did you go bankrupt?” The answer: “Two ways. Gradually, then suddenly.” It’s not just about money. Careers shift this way. Burnout creeps in this way. Renewal happens this way, too. At first, things move so slowly we hardly notice. Then, in an instant, it all clicks or it all breaks.

I’ve seen this dynamic in my consulting work. A PGA Member quietly invests in assistants for years. They share notes, cover lessons, and model patience. To outsiders, nothing dramatic seems to be happening. Then one day, that assistant lands a significant role, and people say, “That came out of nowhere.” It didn’t. It came gradually, then suddenly.

The same pattern shows up in reverse. Long hours, missed dinners, and ignored rest. At first, it feels manageable. Then one day, it comes crashing down. Gradually, then suddenly.

That’s why resilience matters. Few leaders illustrate this more clearly than Ernest Shackleton. Legend has it he once recruited men for his Antarctic expedition with an ad that read: “Men wanted for hazardous journey. Small wages, bitter cold, long months of complete darkness, constant danger, safe return doubtful. Honour and recognition in case of success.” Whether the ad was real or not, the challenge certainly was.

Shackleton’s ship, the Endurance, was crushed in the ice. For months, he and his crew faced brutal conditions. Resilience carried them forward, but resilience alone was not enough. Renewal mattered too. Shackleton secured the best equipment he could. He kept spirits alive with songs, stories, and even soccer on the ice. Those small deposits of renewal gave his men the strength to endure. And the reward? Against all odds, every man survived.

Scripture puts it this way in Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Resilience is refusing to quit. Renewal is what keeps us from wearing out. Reward comes in due season, not always quickly, but faithfully.

At home, I feel this same truth as a parent. The days can feel long. Work, chores, and commitments all creep in gradually. Then suddenly, I’m reminded how short the years really are. Resilience looks like staying present even when I’m tired. Renewal shows up in laughter around the dinner table or bedtime conversations that go longer than I planned. The reward is knowing my kids don’t just see me working. They see me being there.

Here’s what I’ve learned. Resilience keeps us moving. Renewal keeps us standing. Reward comes when we refuse to give up.

• Work: Build a “gradually” habit. Ten minutes a day on one skill or project you want to be known for. Let compounding do its work.

• Home: Identify one small change that would bring renewal. An evening walk, a digital-free hour, or an earlier bedtime. Protect it.

• Mentorship: Share a “gradually, then suddenly” story with a younger professional. Help them see the value of consistent deposits.

• Leadership: Pay attention to someone on your team who may be nearing burnout. Step in with relief, whether that’s a word, a day, or a resource that restores.

• Personal audit: Ask yourself, “Where am I drifting gradually in the wrong direction?” Identify one renewal practice that could turn the next “suddenly” into a reward instead of regret.

My Commitment

I’ve noticed how hurry creeps in gradually, until suddenly I’m stretched too thin to serve well. This year, I’m building renewal into my rhythm by intentionally blocking recovery time after heavy consulting weeks. That margin allows me to show up with clarity for PGA Members and with presence for my family.

Next time, we’ll explore how growth, grit, and grounding steady us when challenges push us further than we thought we could go.