If I had jumped in a boat and immediately started winning races I probably never would have accomplished much in the sport of rowing. I started late. I was always behind. I wasn’t fit. But it made me gritty, angry, and determined.
I remember the dismissive things people said about me. I catalogued them for reference later. I set out to prove everyone wrong.
Struggle and coming from behind have been key themes in my life. I’ve lost many more times than I’ve won. But each loss has informed my path forward, my desire to grow and learn, and toughened my skin.
I’ve had my fair share of cries in the shower. And usually spent the better part of a day feeling bad and beating myself up. But I have never lowered my standards or given up. I never will.
Recently I find myself feeling those same things: behind, confused, stuck. And though feedback is sometimes harsh or hard to hear, I need to know if and where I’m messing up to move forward and become great at what I do. I’ve already got the tools in my belt to overcome these new obstacles. Now it’s just a matter of turning them on, diving in, and proving what I’m made of. Here we go.
What’s the shortcut? What’s the shortest distance between A and B? Are you cutting enough (unnecessary) corners? Are you digging ditches instead of jumping over them? Don’t conform, off the process as much as you can, just focus on results. But you know that.
Birds of the same feather! Gritty, determined, here we go!