Blog # 623: Three Q’s and One E

Last Thursday…
I answered a reader’s question:

“I’d like your opinion on knowing when to quit and when not to quit. How do you know?”

After reading my response…
Readers chimed in with theirs.

______

Here are four email excerpts…
and one “OTHER.”

Reader #1:

Like the saying goes, “three strikes and you’re out.” I try three times before quitting. I can live with that.

Reader #2:

People like you who set goals you think you can achieve are going to be let down. How many of us get what we want? We should be satisfied with what life gives us.

Reader #3:

Death. That’s when I’ll quit.

Reader #4:

When I run out of money and ideas.

And then there was one “OTHER” response.

It was given not in words.

But in pure “Let me show you what I believe!” action.

______

Meet “E.”

She has had a dream of being a veterinarian ever since she was a little girl.

She made the classes she took and the jobs she held matter.

They all led her to apply to vet school.

LAST year, she applied to eight colleges.

Eight times she heard…”Stay home.”

Ug.

But NOT being a vet was NOT an option for “E.”

THIS year, she submitted eight more intense applications.

One just said…”Come!”

A little girl’s soul-deep vision is turning REAL.

“E” is going to be a VET.

______

I asked “E” three questions about her intense journey:

1. What did you feel during your lowest time?

I kind of went numb at my lowest point. On one hand, I knew I would have to apply again because I couldn’t see myself doing anything else. But on the other hand, I just felt broken down because I had worked so hard, gotten so close, and then didn’t succeed. The idea of going through the process again seemed miserable.

2. How did you keep your brain moving forward during the wait for the next year?

I just looked at the end goal and did what I needed to do to get there. I did a lot of networking and reaching out to various admissions counselors to get advice on how to better myself as an applicant, so I took that and busied myself with all their advice as a distraction. Talking to people — whether it be admissions counselors or family — really helped me navigate my feelings better and motivate me to keep going.

3. How does the wait and process feel NOW…after succeeding?

Getting in still hasn’t fully processed and is quite surreal, but if I had to describe how I feel, I would say at peace. Like everything I fought for and worked so hard for has worked out — despite the odds and adversity and extra hoops.

______

Gratefully…

“E” is going to BE what she’s always wanted to BE.

BUT…

A lot of people who want to be a vet…won’t.

At the school “E” will attend…there was a 3% acceptance rate.

97% of the applicants have to choose what to do next.

Perhaps you can relate to feeling what the 97% now feel.

“E” can.

I can.

______

Of course…

Just because we want a goal doesn’t mean it’s ours to have.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

Most goals are NOT for everybody to achieve.

But all goals are for somebody to achieve.

So I ask…

Why can’t we be that “somebody”?

______

When is it time to quit?

We each have to make that decision for ourselves.

But whatever we decide, remember…

We will live with the consequences of that choice for the rest of our lives.

Gratefully…

“E” will be celebrating hers.

S.

PS: I am proud of you “E.”