My philosophy on doing hard things — thoughts (20)
As long as there are human beings who have done harder things than what I have set out to do, then I know I can do it too. If others have successfully achieved what I am aiming for, then I can achieve it as well, or at the very least, I can keep trying until I become good at it. And if I happen to be pursuing something that no one has done before, then even better, because humanity has already overcome challenges far greater than whatever stands before me. I look to those achievements as proof that difficult things can be done.
Everyone I have ever admired is human. They sleep, eat, shit, struggle, make mistakes, build relationships, and face uncertainty just like I do. So why not me? Why should I not be capable of achieving great things as well? Of course, I recognize that while we all have twenty-four hours in a day, we do not all have the same support systems, opportunities, or environments. The playing field is not always equal. Yet there are people who have started with far less than I have and still gone on to accomplish extraordinary things.
My philosophy is simple: if human beings have overcome difficult barriers, challenged themselves beyond their limits, and evolved because of it, then I can do the same. If there are polyglots who speak ten or more languages fluently, then I can learn six well enough in my lifetime. If there are people who began coding later than most would consider ideal and still became exceptional, then I can master at least one programming language. If there are people solving difficult problems in sustainable ways, then I too can commit myself to solving the problems that matter to me and my community.
As my people say, "Ónyé kwé chí yá èkwé" — When a person makes up their mind on anything their chi will be in agreement, also, "Ónyé gbá ñkị́tị̀ Chí yá àgbá" — If one remains silent, unconcerned or aloof, one’s Chi would also remain silent, unconcerned and aloof.
