Starting Over
I had the privilege today to volunteer as a grader at a local High School’s Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) drill and ceremony competition. I was impressed at how the students prepared for the competition through memorizing a sequence of over 50 commands only to be critiqued and graded on how they executed the commands. There were some teams that did well and others that were subpar to standards. But the lesson for the entire competition did not come until the last squad came to my area.
A squad of six with a commander no more than 15 years old requested permission to begin their routine. The first 16 commands in the sequence went off with out any issues but something was now wrong. As a blank stare came across the individuals face, silence filled the air where commands should have been bellowed...she had forgotten the next sequence of commands.
Instead of taking her time and attempting to remember where she left off she rushed through her sequence, skipping key commands. This decision placed her at the end of her routine with the sunken feeling of failure as she realized she did not execute over half of the necessary commands.
With tears in her eyes and voice shaken she requested to leave the drill field.
She was broken.
After words of encouragement I told the team I wanted them to do the entire sequence again. Before I allowed the team to enter the competition field I asked the cadet commander why its import to start over?
She took a deep breath, saluted and said to “correct our failures sir.”
And so here I am reflecting on my failures as it pertains to my business. I have been presented with a sequence of steps through WA that I have forgotten, rushed through, or am subpar to standards set for myself. I can’t get any love from Google and WordPress, in my opinion, should be called Word Depression (writers block).
So...I’m starting over to correct my deficiencies.
My next 3-6 months will be me revisiting WA content and reevaluating my niche of digital photography.
Here’s to relearning!
DT
Recent Comments
6
Hi Dorian,
I would like to begin by stating this was an excellent first post from you to me, on a few levels. I enjoyed how you made the correlation from the training exercise you graded today to your WA training and business.
I can totally relate to this as have been mentioned by others already and I'm sure many others to come.
What a great way to come out of the gate with some helpful and motivating content to help others. Continue with the great self evaluation and motivating post to help us all out here.
Thanks,
Mac
You got this Dorian, we've all been there. The important thing is to keep pushing forward. I read a quote today that I feel is relevant to this:
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending"--CS Lewis
You're on your way brother, don't give up!
James
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Dorian, you brought up a good point here. A bad start shouldn't define your performance if you're given a second chance.
This reminds me of a piano solo competition I competed in when I was 16. I made a mistake three bars into the piece. Rather than proceeding and worrying about that mistake, I stopped. Took a deep breath and continued.
Since I was in control I didn't need to ask the examiner for permission. I assumed I had no chance of winning. But my new goal was to give the best performance of my life.
After all the contestants completed their performance we had a short break. The examiner was ready to adjudicate.
He commended everyone for their performances. He then said their was one contestant that impressed him greatly by their performance whom the 1st prize was going to be awarded to. Of course he didn't say who.
The third place award was announced first. Then the second. I was not disappointed as I knew I wouldn't win.
He then announced he was awarding the 1st prize to me!
I was speechless! Heads turned. The examiner proceeded to say that even though I made a bad start I didn't give up. And the performance I then gave was the best he had heard.
That was a moment I'll never forget.
Thanks for making this point of not giving up. But also the wisdom of being given a second chance.
Cheers!
Edwin