Spring semester has officially come to an end. When I look back on these past few months I realize that this journey has become much bigger than just grades, assignments, or trying to simply pass my classes.
This semester has taught me life lessons.
Lesson 1: You can’t always “wing it.”
I’ve always prided myself on being someone who could step up to the plate and perform under pressure. But as I began to encounter challenging situations and the enormity of balancing so many things at once hit me, I realized that working hard and staying busy can only take you so far. Eventually you have to prepare yourself for success if you want it to find you.
I’ve heard people say “Failure to plan is planning to fail” a million times, but this past season truly opened my eyes to what that means. Putting a plan in place doesn’t mean you have it all together or that you aren’t going to encounter obstacles. What it does mean is that you are willing to put in the work necessary to prepare yourself for success. It means you are willing to be proactive rather than constantly reacting to the chaos around you.
Planning + Preparation = Potential for Success
Discipline matters.
Showing up matters.
Putting a plan in place matters.
Lesson 2: There are no shortcuts to worthwhile success.
We live in a results-driven society. Everyone wants instant gratification. Everybody wants the end result without having to do the work in between.
Many want a raise without taking on more responsibility.
Many want to be fit without making dietary changes or working out.
Many want to be successful without consistency or sacrifice.
Real growth and development takes time.
It takes work.
And it won’t happen for everyone.
You have to want it more than the person who isn’t.
Lesson 3: You have to be willing to do the work.
Knowledge is powerful but it’s only worth as much as you can apply it to real life situations. Employers these days are not just looking for people who know how to do something. They already have smart people on their payroll. They want people who are going to show up everyday, continue to learn, and can handle pressure in times of adversity.
They want problem solvers.
They want thinkers.
They want action takers.
Did you know that the average person uses only 10% of their brain? I think we all have way more potential than we realize but oftentimes refuse to tap into.
Talking about what you will do is fun. Actually doing it is what changes you.
LESSON 4: Pressure isn’t always a bad thing.
One of the things that I learned this semester that hit me hard was that pressure equals opportunity. Pressure means you have something to lose. But it also means you have something to gain.
Most of us want things to come easy. We want everything in life to just “fall us.” But what builds character? What teaches us mental strength? What helps us grow as people?
Things that force us to adapt.
Things that challenge our mind, body, and spirit.
That something is pressure.
Pressure makes you better or breaks you. There is no in-between.
Lesson 5: Growth is a choice.
This semester has been a mental, emotional, and personal challenge. It has pushed me to evaluate my habits, the excuses I make, how I manage my time, my overall mindset, and my willingness to be disciplined in areas I’m struggling.
I needed this.
How could I expect to grow if I didn’t push myself to get uncomfortable? How could I expect change if I wasn’t willing to evaluate my current situation and make the necessary adjustments?
Let me tell you something that I am discovering at nearly 50 years old.
It’s never too late.
It’s never too late to reinvent yourself.
It’s never too late to become the best version of you.
Life at your age is about continuing to evolve.
Continuing to learn.
Continuing to grow.
At this stage in your life, you’re just starting over smarter.
Fall semester won’t be easy either. I will be attending PLNU while simultaneously working and trying to learn as much about cybersecurity and the technology world as I can. But that’s the fun part about it. The journey is continuing and I can’t wait to see where these next few months take me.
If you would’ve asked me years ago if I saw myself doing what I’m doing now, I probably would’ve said no. But the beauty of life is that we learn a lot about ourselves when we stop putting limitations on our potential. My fear of starting school had to be replaced with excitement about the future and what I can become.
Remember…
The only thing worse than failing is never trying at all.
There will always be people who doubt you. People who judge you. People who don’t think you can do it.
But you know what else?
Nobody grew inside their comfort zone.
Peace and Love
– Powell 2 Thee People
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