Wednesday, October 15, 2008

When determination fails to work

I've never been the kind of person who gives up.

I will admit to getting frustrated, let down, set back, and all that jazz, but I never feel like I truly give up on something. I'm a relatively determined person who enjoys proving to myself and to other people that I can accomplish something when no one else thought I could.

For example, when I tried out for choir when I was a sophomore (yes, folks, I was a choir geek in high school...in all fairness, it was one year, and I didn't consider singing one of my talents in life - it was just a phase) a girl who was already in the choir said very hesitantly that if I tried really hard, I might be able to make it. She didn't mean anything by the statement, but I was a little stung by it. It wasn't just singing ability, but we had choreographed moves to our songs that we also had to learn (choir was a bit ridiculous at my high school...it was kind of "the thing" to do for a while, until it went downhill when I was in it). Choreography of any sort with me does not result in very good happenings. I'm kind of a klutz. Anyways...to the point of my story...I tried and practiced my very hardest and when I went to the posted list, I saw my name. The sense of accomplishment I felt was so gratifying.

Another time in high school...I wanted to be the Student Body Artist for our student government (I was one of those, too...I'm kind of a nerd, I'll admit it) and it was pretty much a goal of mine for quite a while. I worked all year on drawings I could submit and I even practiced interviewing techniques so that my interview would go over well. I felt so great and confident after my interview, and even though I was nervous after the "draw us a Lancer in one hour and we'll see what you come up with," I knew I had done my best, and that was all I could ask for. Again...when I went to the posted list and saw my name, I was ecstatic. All my hard work had paid off.

In both of those instances, I ended up getting what it was I worked for. Does that always happen? If you work hard enough, and put enough of your heart and soul into something, do you always get positive results? Or sometimes, even after you were pushed to the very edge of your sanity with something, do things just not work out? Is there a point in time you can reach where you should just give up on something?

Lots of questions to ponder...this should keep me busy for the next few days.

10 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I don't always think that working hard always equals getting what you want. An example that comes to mind are the terrible singers on American Idol. No matter how hard they work, and do singing lessons, etc., sometimes, they are just truly awful.

I think that sometimes, it's a mixture of talent and practice, and if you don't have both in a certain area, you may not be successful, no matter how much you work at it.

Kayleigh said...

True true. Those singers on American Idol *shudder*....I feel so bad for them sometimes. It's just so humiliating.

Kiersten White said...

I tried to get an agent for the first book I wrote. I'll admit to not trying quite as hard as I could have--but I didn't know what I was doing. After about a year, I sat back and reevaluated. And wrote another book! After I had some distance from the first, I realized why no one was picking it up.

And I hate to be the "journey" type of person in your comments, but that's what I've realized this time around trying to get an agent for my book--if it happens, I will be thrilled. And I'm gonna do whatever I can to make it happen. But this is one of those things that depends a lot on other people. So, if it doesn't happen, I'm not going to let it devastate me.

The point will be that I did the best I could, and enjoyed it.

Anonymous said...

Ah, Kayleigh dear, I certainly remember both choir and SBO interviews... I remember my eardrums nearly popping when your name showed up on the sheet... I remember that Media Tech was the last on the list, so even though I was incredibly happy for you, I was still freaked out of my brain... Lots of remembering stuff! Haha I love you dearly! And you still need to live up to your word and come visit!

Kayleigh said...

Oh, Darin. :)

It warms my soul that you read my blog. I so appreciate it. I remember the almost popping out everybody's eardrums, although I think Whit was the one that was screaming the most. I will live up to my promise soon, hopefully, and come up and visit.

Whitney Leigh said...

hahah remember I held my jacket up over the sheet and we went down one by one. and yes, I was very excited when you made it.

and listen, with all your "I'm a nerd, I was in choir and I was an officer." crap, I wonder what you're saying about me here. I did the same thing and hello!! I'm the bomb diggity! haha Just Kidding! But really, we're cool.

As far as the determination thing goes, I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about with this whole thing, just keep trying. Even if the recipient of your determination is a dud, just get your matches out and try to relight the wick. and if all else fails, pour some gas on him. :)

Kayleigh said...

Too true. I'm not going out without a bang, so eventually if it ends up coming to that...well, at least I will have tried.

Jules AF said...

Wait did you go to Layton High? I'm assuming you did because of the whole knowing people who did. Did you try out for the Laytones or whatever they were called? The ones who went to Disneyland??
Natalie, Emily's older sister, was my roommate last year. And she showed us tons of dances... It was great.

Whitney Leigh said...

^^ what fun THAT must've been.....

Whitney Leigh said...

I'm going to hell for that last one. I'M OVER IT, I SWEAR.