Every year when my birthday comes up, I start to think about how much I’ve changed in the past year. This past year of my life has probably been the year with the most growth, development and change that I’ve ever experienced. It’s been the one with the most ups and the most downs. Looking back, I would not change a second of it.
When I look back, I start to think about what I learned and how it shaped me. I’ve always been a big believer in the fact that everything happens for a reason. While my faith in that has been shaken a bit in the past year, and I may not necessarily think that everything happens for a reason, I do believe that there is something to take away and learn from each experience we endeavor.
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That being said, I decided to write out the major things I’ve learned in the past year.
1. Be confident in what you’re passionate about
If you find something you’re passionate about, run with it. Don’t hold back. Be the best you can in whatever it is.
2. Rest is OK
I'm 100 percent the kind of person who freaks out when I don't have a schedule packed to the minute. I need to feel like everything I do is moving me towards a goal or making me better. This burns you out. Rest is essential when you're maximizing your time with work, school, friends, and everything else. Take time to recharge and let yourself just be.
3. When you are nervous about something new, go all in
I started CrossFit almost a year ago, and I was never more terrified. I didn’t deal with that fear by shying away. I dealt with it by going all in and really embracing the sport and community. One year later, I’ve never felt stronger in the fact that I’ve found another home and community in my CrossFit community.
4. If you’re wasting energy worrying about other people, they aren’t worth your time
If people are causing you more stress than school or work, they aren’t people you need to keep around.
5. Everyone you meet is worth talking to
Every business class I’ve taken has stressed the importance of networking -- every single one. Finance, econ, marketing: They all make a point that networking is the essence of a career. That being said, networking can only be successful if you have an open mind. You will never gain anything from networking if you only talk to people with a certain title, or only talk to people in a certain field.
Everyone is worth something, and you never know when someone will have something they can offer you. That is true in every field, sport, or activity. Everyone has a story that is worth being heard, so don’t close people off.
6. Good things are coming your way
It could be the worst year of your life. You could look at yourself and think, “How can it get better from here?” Sometimes things happen and they knock us down. That’s inevitable and that will happen. What’s great, however, is at that point there’s nothing to do but get back up and move on. Pick yourself up and move forcefully towards the good that lies ahead.
There are always going to be setbacks, but they are going to launch you forward. There is something valuable to learn from every experience, whether it’s learning something about yourself or your views and beliefs, or finding a new passion in your life. Something good is always coming your way.
