You'll Strike Your Stride
You'll Strike Your Stride by David V. Bush is a poem of encouragement for anyone who feels stuck or behind. It reminds us that progress may come slowly, but it comes when we keep pushing forward. Stay steady, do not quit, and you may be surprised by how far you can go.
Sometimes the win is simply this: you kept going when you wanted to stop.
Updated January 27, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer
There are two ways to take life in stride. We can give up and step back, or we can keep moving forward with determination. This poem reminds us that setbacks do not have to stop us. They can strengthen us as we work toward the goal in front of us.
If you feel behind or tired, these verses remind you that steady effort still leads somewhere.
You'll Strike Your Stride
All men, like horses, have a stride —
To find it, they have often sighed.
And feared themselves withheld by Fate,
From falling in their proper gait.
But many heroes, holding fast.
Have found the cherished gait at last;
So never quit the race, for you
Will strike your stride if you push through!
The stride we have, our running gait.
To some comes soon, to some comes late;
Nor should the one who lags behind
Despair that he the stride will find.
He has the power with pluck and grace
At length to win the toilsome race;
For in each one there rests the stride
That to the brave is ne'er denied.
If then your proper stride you seek
Curse not your fate in accents weak.
But be a man, and in the strife.
Plunge with the strength of all your life.
The man who has the nerve and grit
Will like the bulldog, never quit.
But win the race and pass the wire —
He's found his stride and cannot tire!
Key Messages From The Poem
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Everyone has a stride to find.
We each have our own pace and way of moving forward. The poem reminds us that we are not meant to copy someone else’s timing, but to discover what fits us.
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Progress can be slow, but it is still progress.
Some people find their rhythm early, others later. If you feel behind, do not assume you have failed. Keep going and your stride can still come.
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Do not let fear or fate talk you out of trying.
The poem speaks to the worry that we are held back by circumstances. It encourages us to stop blaming and start stepping forward with purpose.
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Determination matters more than speed.
Winning is not only about being fast. It is about staying in the race, holding on through the hard parts, and refusing to quit when it gets tough.
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Courage grows when you choose action.
The poem calls us to put our strength into the struggle, not shrink back. When you act with grit and heart, you build the confidence to keep going.
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Quitting is the only sure way to lose.
The message is simple: keep pushing through. When you stay faithful to the effort, you give yourself the chance to finish strong and reach your goal.
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Conclusion
This poem reminds us that we all have a pace we can grow into. Some find it early, some find it later, but it is not out of reach. Keep showing up, keep trying, and keep pushing through. In time, you will strike your stride.
Today, choose one small step and take it, even if you do not feel ready.
More Famous Poems Of Encouragement to Inspire
Keep moving forward, and in time you will find your pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the message of You’ll Strike Your Stride?
The poem reminds us that everyone has their own pace in life. Even if progress feels slow, steady effort and determination can lead us forward. Quitting is the only sure way to miss what could be.
What does it mean to strike your stride?
To strike your stride means finding the pace and confidence that works for you. It is the moment when effort begins to feel more natural because you stayed patient and kept going.
Who was David V. Bush?
David V. Bush was a poet whose verses often focused on perseverance, courage, and personal effort. His poems continue to encourage readers to stay committed, even when the journey feels difficult.