Give a Little, Give a Lot

Let's take a trip down memory lane. Think back to your high school and/or college days. When you were in school, did you strive to achieve certain goals? Did you want to be the star athlete? Would it make you happy to become Class President or Homecoming Queen? How bad did you want to achieve your goals? If it's a goal you set, then you probably wanted to conquer it. When it was time to conquer, did you follow through? Really, did you truly put your foot down and give it your all?

If you're having a difficult time answering my questions, let me help you. When I was in high school, I secretly wanted to run for Class President. Did I go for it? Nope! Why? It was my fear of being told no and because I wasn't popular. In college, I wanted to train for the Miss America pageant. Did I go through with it? Nope! Why? I didn't think I was pretty enough, fit enough, or intelligent enough. I was capable of being trained, but I didn't think anyone would support such an endeavor. Post graduate school, I had the opportunity to teach English in China. It was an all expenses paid trip. All I had to cover was my personal expenses. Did I take the opportunity? Nope! Why? I let someone's opinion of the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity impact my decision. I didn't try to go through with it after hearing his opinion. 

In the examples I mentioned in the previous paragraph, I wanted to achieve my goals, but I didn't even try. I allowed the opinions of others to affect my self-concept, which contributed to me giving no effort to achieving my goals. Had I gave even a little bit, I would have known whether or not I was cut out to achieve my goals. I don't regret any decision I've made in my life. The decisions I've made have impacted who I am today.

I am a stronger person now than I was in the past. If I want to achieve something, I give everything I have in me to achieve my goals. There are still situations that scare me and make me question whether or not I am worthy of achieving a goal. When this happens, I will give a little bit. After that, I will give a little more. Eventually, I will achieve them.

The moral of the story is to try. When you want to tackle a goal, regardless of the size, give a little effort. Each time you give a little effort, it becomes easier to give more effort. Eventually, you will give a lot. You will get what you put into achieving your goals. Goals may not be achieved the first time, but no one can ever say that you didn't give.