Do you Deserve Success?

I stood like an anxious parent cheering my heart out at the tournament in France as I watched my training partners compete against the best in the region.  As the day passed, I came to a strange realization - all of the teens that I knew best, the ones that were at every session and all the cross training, were the ones leaving with medals.  The competitors who I recognized from the club but did not know well, due to their lack of attendance, were the ones quickly defeated and seemingly not surprised.  As a competitor that hates to lose, I could not wrap my head around their seeming apathy at the losses- to which my husband calmly replied "they know that they didn't put in the work."

It's such a simple concept but one that has taken me years to fully appreciate.  When it comes to achieving success in life, you MUST be willing to PUT IN THE WORK.

You need to be the one staying late at the office to ensure your assignment is completed on time- and you get that promotion you are after.  You need to go to the teachers and TA office hours to fully understand the material- to get that A you want.  You need to attend the extra sessions at the gym - to get that place on the medal stand.

It is easy to convince yourself that you are giving your all, doing all you can, putting in 110%...but until you fully are committed you will never understand why you are not achieving the success that you think you deserve.  
So I challenge you- give 110%.  How?
Mock others who have reached your goals in the past.  What efforts did they put in?  What have you not been doing?  Who can you mimic?  Get role models.  Ask for help.  Try things differently.  Do research.  Be honest with your boss/coach about your goals and make a plan to get there.  Surround yourself with partners, classmates and co-workers who lift you up and help you work towards those goals.  Do not be afraid to fail.
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It will be hard.  But if you are wanting more it will be worth it.
If you are attending things in life and are satisfied with not achieving highest levels of success, that is totally OK.  But if you are wanting more - do more.
You can.

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