Roadblock: Caution Ahead
Now that you have discovered your TICK and you are in full DRIVE, let's dive right into the next topic!
[PAUSE]
Take a moment to let the picture above settle in your mind.
Now, think of a time in your life when you were presented with an obstacle. How hard was it to overcome this particular task? How did you feel once it was accomplished? The obstacle I overcame was trying to become acclimated to a new environment, like college, and achieving academic, social and professional success. It didn't happen overnight and at one point I had convinced myself that maybe college wasn't "my thing."
I ran across the picture above on one of my sisters Facebook page. I can imagine why she posted this for all of her Facebook friends to see. Kayla or as I call her "kaykay" is a self-motivated and taught photographer. I mean her work is amazing! Her appreciation for the arts is incomprehensible to most but very well recognized by many. I can't say that I remember the day she picked up a camera or the day she decided photography would become a portion of her life full-time but I can write about the moment I realized she had a passion and appreciation for her talent.
I remember receiving many texts and having Skype sessions with kaykay during our [SophomoreYear] where she would talk about this hidden talent I didn’t know she possessed. She would ask me to pray for her as she submitted her works to different things. Or, I would just lend a listening ear other times. I could hear the frustration in her voice when she would mention not having enough funds or adequate supplies to better her pieces. In a sense, I almost felt helpless. Now, her story doesn't end sad but there's no fairytale ending either. At the time, she had as many highs as she had lows but she never quit. She knew "Nothing worth having comes easy!"
So she kept pushing forward not allowing setbacks to be an easy way out. She continued developing her work, taking pictures of friends, building her portfolio and resume and stayed positive remembering that simple thought.
She found her TICK and moved forward with Drive. This is the same thing you must do!
Keep in mind, Rome wasn't built in a day, the Sistine Chapel ceiling painting by Michelangelo wasn't complete in one week, and you were not created or born in a month time span. Whatever the task may be, pace yourself. Figure out what it is you are trying to accomplish and outline your steps to achieving the task. Stay positive! Talk to people who have taken the same or similar paths. Share ideas but also protect them. Be confident in yourself. Believe that you can overcome any challenge or obstacle.
Just remember, nothing worth having comes easy!
I find myself leaving encouraging post-its on my wall. I allow my close friends and mentees to write on my mirror (this reminds me who I have as a support system). Some days I print out a list of goals I want to accomplish and plaster it on my wall. I pick up the phone and call my mentors to share my thoughts and ideas. I doodle and journal about my ambitions. I simply take a moment to capture whatever it is I want and then go for it.