By KARINA MATOS
Success isn’t something easily obtained. While people have achieved success, and will continue to, the big question those without success seem to ask is how. How can someone go from a nobody to being completely famous? How can someone reach their goal weight? How can someone achieve their dreams? On the outside it looks easy. As humans it is practically in our nature to want things quickly and easily. The fastest way to get something can often trump the best way to get something. But really, the first step is admitting that there is no “quick way” to success. No one has ever truly succeeded in accomplishing their goal without hard work and effort. Admittedly, the amount of work and effort depends on what the particular goal is and how far along you’ve already come. However, if loopholes and short cuts are the only way someone is willing to go, then there’s really little hope of success.
After admitting that success isn’t something easy to come by, the next thing to do is identify the problem. Michael Jordan once said, “If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” Everyone has to face a problem at some point in their life. But problems are made to be solved. What kind of success story would someone be able to tell afterward if there was no conflict? Every happy ending comes after some kind of issue that the main character must overcome before getting there. Thinking about what issues need to be faced, and working out how to work around them is an important skill in life. For example, Michael Jordan didn’t make his high school basketball team. Did that stop him? Obviously not. He practiced, and worked hard. The next time there was tryouts, he made the team. What makes this such an inspirational little story was that a guy like Michael Jordan, one of the most well known basketball players, faced conflict to achieve his goals. But he identified the problem, and took action in solving it. Everyones solutions to their issues will be different, but the one thing they all share is that once the issue has been resolved, moving forward is possible.
Success comes to the focused and determined person. The one who is willing to do nearly anything to make what they want happen. People who are focused on only one thing they want to achieve with one set goal in mind may seem narrow minded, but really, they are just determined to see their dreams through. However, being determined about a specific goal is fine, but that shouldn’t prevent someone from being flexible about how they get there. If someone is determined to have their goals accomplished, but only in a specific way, that makes it a whole lot harder for anything to actually happen. Not everything in life goes according to plan and its much easier to be prepared for anything then to be too stubborn to bother.
Whether someones goal is to become a famous singer, or to get into the college of their choice, they should never doubt themselves. The more someone doubts themself the more they believe that whatever they want to accomplish is “stupid” or “impossible.” Logically, if someones goal really was to be a famous singer, its not impossible considering people have done it before. So why not that person? Someone getting the opportunity to go to the college of their choice can been a hard goal to achieve. However, with someone doing all they can, putting in a lot of hard work, the chances will greatly improve. Some factors in reaching our goals are out of our hands, but, if we do all we can, at least there is still the satisfaction of knowing all that could be done was done. Also, in many cases, the first try isn’t the end all, be all. College is available at all ages, and though the first time may not have been the charm, who’s to say the second one won’t?
Success is greatly sought after. That’s why its better not to sweat it. If you have a goal in mind, try to enjoy the journey. Do something for the joy of doing it, not necessarily the success that could come with it. Even if the going gets tough, and it seems like theres no where left to go, don’t give up. It is never the end, and there’s nearly always something more that can be done. Colin Powell once stated, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” So don’t wait any longer to make your dreams a reality.
