Press On
When I was in one of the most confusing phases of life, struggling to figure out what major to pursue like most overwhelmed undergraduate students, my grandfather gave me a piece of advice I will forever hold on to. He told me that no matter what, to be persistent in my pursuits in life. No matter if it was a job I wanted, a fitness feat, or an accomplishment I craved for myself, I had to be persistent to get it - to go after it with my whole heart and not let up. He framed a quote from former president, Calvin Coolidge as reminder for me.
It reads, “Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
Instead of hanging it on the wall as he intended, I put it in a folder that always journeyed with me into job interviews. I had several documents I would go over before I walked into any interview including a list of answers to typical interview questions, questions for me to ask the interviewer, reasons as to why I was doing this, and, finally, the quote he so kindly printed out for me.
It gave me a sense of confidence each time I walked into an interview, knowing that I was pursuing my dreams and pressing on. I was putting myself out there and chasing after what I wanted. Even if I didn’t have all the right answers in that hour-long period, I was persistent in reaching out, following up, and giving it my best go.
The search for a job I love, a job I could be proud of has taken me several tries. I finally found one, and you know why? Because I was persistent. After exhausting my list of everyone I could find in the local PR industry, I put myself out there, took a free class, and contacted the instructor on a whim. I followed up for months. It took about six before she reached out to me with contract work. That contract work lasted for three months, which then turned into a full-time job. It wasn’t a quick fix, or a straight path, but being persistent lead me to a job I finally love. When I got the official offer, it felt similar to crossing the finish line of a mini marathon. I had challenged myself and worked two jobs filling all the margins of life with it. When my goals started to transform into results, my heartbeat quickened, feeling like a round of applause, thanking my body and mind for pushing past my limits, set by no one but myself.
So, thank you, Gramps - for the lifelong advice. Happy 80th Birthday, grandfather.