From a young age, we are defined by a set of numbers. We are made up of numbers such as our weight, height, age, class rank, GPA, grades, SAT score, grades, salary, etc. To a certain extent, our success in life is determined by a combination of these numbers. It is easy to lose ourselves and our purpose in life in the struggle to attain our ideal numbers. However, we must keep our true goals and visions for the future in mind. We need to remember that although these numbers are very important to our success, they are not the final goal, but merely a part of the journey to reach your destination.
Sometimes, in our busy lives, we get so caught up in our current situation, we forget to look at the big picture. That test on Monday that you think you're going to fail won't really matter 10 years from now. Neither will that movie that you really wanted to see this weekend or the fact that you didn't get the grade you wanted on your recent English assignment. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't study for your next test or put in your best effort on your work, but it is important to create a state of balance in your life. Often times, we dwell on our failures so much that we forget that we can work harder and do better next time. Instead of allowing your weaknesses to bring you down, use them to lift you up and encourage you to work harder. So what if you got a B on that math test you studied really hard for? That just means there's room for improvement. You can review more material and practice more so you can get it right on the final exam. If you choose to have a negative attitude towards it, you will not make any progress, and you'll probably end up making the same mistakes later on, disappointing yourself again.
Even though sometimes it feels like everything is falling apart and nothing you do is good enough, remember that you are more than just a composition of numbers. Remember that although it feels like these numbers have a hold on our lives, it is actually the other way around. We control these numbers. You can study hard and attain that SAT score that you want and you can hit the gym and get to your ideal weight. You have the power to get where you want in life once you learn that you are in the driver's seat and instead of seeing your failures as obstacles, use them as fuel to encourage you to work harder and achieve your goals.
