When we want to achieve something, we should set goals to achieve it. However, there are some individuals who fail to achieve their goals because they have set unrealistic or unachievable goals. This often results because they are not aware of the “divide and conquer” strategy.  What this means is that we should set short-term goals leading to long-term achievements. For example, if one wants to become an engineer, one should plan their objectives in phases. For phase one, one should enquire if the field of engineering is suitable for him or her. If so, one should proceed to phase two, which is to enquire about what is required to enroll in an engineering course. For phrase three, one should study hard to meet the requirements.  Following the phases will lead one to be an engineer eventually.

However, even if one’s objective is broken down into components, we can still face challenges when pursuing our goals. When this happens, it’s important to be optimistic and persevere. To do this, we need to understand that the adage “The tough gets going when the going gets tough” is true. We might have a tough time for a while but the result is ultimately worth it. For example, we might have to sacrifice personal time with friends to study for tests but we gain by learning something in the process.

This can also be applied in the field of communication. During the class discussion, it has been mentioned that between close friends, it’s best to ignore trivial conflicts so as to preserve long-term friendships. Seen in this light, patience and a high tolerance for conflict are qualities that we should develop for long-term achievements alongside perseverance and determination.