Be somebody nobody thought you could be

They say success is the best revenge.

Let’s evaluate this. It’s quite natural to feel jealousy over someone else’s success. Proving yourself to others is something every motivated human strives for. You push yourself to the limits, proving you have what it takes to make it in your industry. So of course, when someone else achieves a goal, gets a promotion or gets praised… you envy them. But, here is where you can make a choice: you can either feel jealousy, or you can feel inspired.

Everyone wants to feel like they’ve achieved their goals to become successful and happy, but how can you push to become a better you? Will you let someone else’s success define you or will you create your own success? Why can’t you have both?

Growing up an athlete that competed in multiple sports like soccer and track, you quickly learn, in order to be the best, you have to beat the best. You have to train and push yourself to overcome the fears of losing. It’s hard when you’re always being compared to someone else. But, isn’t that how life is? Even in the real world? You’re always competing against someone else because you’re always being compared to other people and what they’ve accomplished. But what if you can turn this into a positive and let this be motivation instead of intimidation.

In college, I was never the smartest one in the room. I was witty and clever, but never the smartest. Even before I graduated, I knew what I wanted to do with my life. I was going to be a Reporter. I had one issue… I had many people who were against me, hoping I’d fail. I let this motivate me. I was going to push myself and fight for what I wanted. And that’s how I started working for one of the top broadcasting networks. CBS. I put myself out there and took a chance. My dream had come true, working for CBS was something I’ve wanted for years, and it finally happened… Though, I still had people trying to knock me down.

I was told I wouldn’t succeed because I was never the brightest light bulb. Finding out that the people I called friends doubted my success destroyed me. I let it bother me and it made me question myself. Was I in over my head? Maybe I’m not smart enough for this company. Once it was clear that my success was being negatively judged and predicted by others, I knew I had to prove them wrong. I worked hard to prove I was good enough. I arrived 2 hours before my shift started, just to memorize checklists, go over podcasting instructions and make sure I knew what I was doing once I took over the news desk. I wanted to be the best at my job. I wanted to succeed.

I started my job with CBS News in October 2015… It is now July 2017 and I have worked 3 different jobs within the CBS News and CBS Radio divisions. Did I mention, I worked them all at the same time? I was told I was crazy for working 3 jobs 7 days a week with a few double shifts, but crazy is not always a bad thing. Some say crazy, but I call it accomplished. I call it motivated, hell, I’ve called it tiring. I worked hard to be where I am today. I was offered a great position with another CBS department. Hard work gets noticed.

So sure, I may not be the smartest, but I make sure I’m the hardest working one in the room.

Success is something I take seriously and I was not going to let other’s pessimistic outlook on my future success be anything BUT motivation.

So is success really the best revenge?

Sure.

But don’t let that come before your happiness. Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but happiness is just as satisfying (if not more).

So the next time someone in your life succeeds, let it motivate you. Let them inspire you.

#Hardwork #Motivation #Success #Future