Opinion| How Did She Do It?

(image by Katie Gray)

A small moment of truth

We all grew up hearing “follow your heart,” and “your dreams can come true if you believe in yourself.” But let’s face it, life doesn’t exactly work out that way. It’s not easy to “live your dreams” when you’re an adult juggling a full plate of responsibilities, and life keeps throwing you curveballs.

We don’t feel completely in control of our lives and we never will. So the big question is how do we do it all? Pay our bills, build successful careers, maintain healthy/meaningful relationships, and still hold on to our sanity?

The truth is that there isn’t a right answer to that question. This article isn’t going to hand you a “how-to guide” that’ll address every concern currently weighing you down. The reason this article can’t give you that is because you’re human. People are not meant to operate without errors and random glitches.

                                          Our stories and flaws make us who we are  (Image of Michelle Obama by Google Images)

Setting aside one’s political views, Michelle Obama deserves recognition for her strength and perseverance. Obama has an impressive resume; the first African-American First lady, lawyer, Harvard graduate, mother and a published author.

In her book “Becoming Michelle”, Obama discusses the hardships of being the First Lady, balancing a career, and not losing yourself along the way.

Those who have been successful have one thing in common; they refused to give up. Courage doesn’t mean they weren’t afraid. They were scared out of their minds most of the time. They just wouldn’t give up even when the odds were set against them. They choose to live boldly.

The inspiring individual who do “make it” admits that at one point or another, they failed before they succeeded. They tried. They failed. They tried again.

Failure isn’t the end of the story

(Image by Michelle Poler.com)

Keynote speaker, social entrepreneur, and co-founder of Hello Fears, Michelle Poler, has a thing or two to say about failure and the steps to be successful. Poler has a refreshing approach to success and living life boldly. She shares her message about fearing less and doing more.“Am I afraid of failing? You bet I am! But I am 100% more afraid of not trying at all,” says Poler.

It’s not about accepting the reality that you MIGHT fail, but that you WILL fail. Failure isn’t the end of the story, but an important part of the process.

To take control of your life is the most liberating, empowering, and the most earth-shattering thing you’ll ever do. It takes guts, requires passion, innovation, imagination, and a whole lot of determination. There isn’t a clear path to follow. For those who do the impossible, they prove themselves to be risk-takers and are willing to put everything on the line.

We have to be vulnerable to be successful

(Image by Huffington Post)

Author, a researcher, and keynote speaker, Brené Brown, says that success doesn’t exist without vulnerability. Brown’s compelling testimony about her struggle with fear, insecurities and doubt is enough to persuade even the most reluctant individual to take a risk.

Often the success of others are highlighted, praised, and celebrated. But we seem to gloss over how many times these same people were criticized, shamed, rejected and discouraged along the way. These are impactful trials that make us better for having lived through them.

In an interview with Oprah, Brown discusses how vulnerability is necessary for meaningful and lasting relationships. “It can revolutionize the way you live, the way you love, the way you lead, the way you parent. It has completely changed everything for me, ” says Brown.

Being vulnerable isn’t a sign of weakness, but of strength. It takes strength to let down our walls and be unapologetically ourselves.

“In every aspect of our lives, we are ways asking ourselves, how am I of value? What is my worth? Yet I believe worthiness is our birthright,” says Oprah.

The road is hard and it’s not getting any easier. But life is too short to remain in our safe-zones. Try. Fail. Try again.

Related links:

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/brene-brown
https://www.michellepoler.com/#programs