Personal Statement
The dictionary defines success as a “favorable or desired outcome” or “the gaining of wealth and fame”. Success means something different to every one of us.
Success for me is “dreaming a dream” that others would deem impossible, waking up every day and working hard towards that goal. Knowing there will be obstacles but persevering and finding ways to learn from them. I can be successful by becoming great in my own eyes, instead of the eyes of the many competitors waiting for me to hit rock bottom, and taking my place after they go for the throat. Success for me is being known for my strong faith, my wonderful family, my good citizenship, my hard work as a student, and my relentlessness as a basketball player. Success is closing my eyes every night knowing I did my best that day.
Success requires working harder than anyone around you and not being afraid to try. Working hard even on the days you don’t feel like it. Those are the days you should work even harder. Everything counts in competition, just like everything counts in life, because you can’t take back what you already started.
Achieving success requires surrounding yourself with people who are successful and others who have the same goals. Achieving success requires believing you can be successful!
Success in school requires being a good listener, being respectful of teachers and fellow students, and helping others in need. I turn my school work in on time, and strive to go above and beyond the work required. To do this I spend my weekends doing school work, which sometimes requires giving up fun outings with my friends. I also work hard to do any extra credit that is available. Success would include a college scholarship and being a great Student Ambassador for any college I attend. All of this requires putting in extra effort to achieve “A+’s”, not just “A’s”.
When I show up for basketball I always give 100%, I am known for working hard, and being a leader. This requires always arriving ready and willing to do anything asked of me. Basketball is about everyone having the opportunity to get better. I give coaches respect by listening to everything they say. This also includes supporting my teammates by passing the ball so others can learn and score.
Everyone knows there is no “I” in team. As a member of any basketball team my goal is always to show up with a good attitude, a strong work ethic, and a team player mentality. This starts with supporting the other players by lifting them up when they are down. What’s paramount to me is respecting the coaches, the other players, and the officials. Being known as a student athlete who gives it all on the floor is what my goal will always be.
This is what I live by:
“There may be people that have more talent than you, but there is no excuse for anyone to work harder than you do.”
Derek Jeter