The Power of Determination

I have always been a believer in myself. I often think it runs in my family. I believe in determination.

For as long as I can remember, I have always loved competition and pushing myself to be better. I am determined to be the best I can be at all times. I really would prefer to be better than everyone else. but doesn't everybody?

I remember when I was thirteen years old and decided to go to Memphis and tryout for a competitive volleyball team. The club, Metro, has four different teams for each age. The ages start at ten and go up to eighteen. The best team with the best players is referred to as the elite team. Well, of course, that was the team I wanted to be on. My uncle told me to over and over to not be upset if I did not make the elite team. He said, "Do not expect to make the best team the first year over there, those girls are very good and have been playing for a while." I did not like his negative attitude. I believe in being confident in yourself and making the best out of everything you do. I never have doubts in myself. I may sound cocky at times but cockiness can get you a lot further that being timid.

The night I left the tryouts my uncle was a little nervous. Not me, I was confident that I was just as good as those girls. I was more than confident, I was determined. Two hours later I get a phone call from a coach asking me to be on her elite team! I was so excited! I was not the cockiness I possessed that got me on the team, it was the determination to be better than the competition I was up against. I guarantee that I worked harder than all those girls that were at the tryouts, too.

Next, my uncle wanted to tell me not to get upset if I do not play a lot. This was not acceptable to me. Myself, being the competitive person I am, was a starter, played the entire time, and was the best player on the team. My team went on to getting fifth place at Nationals in Orlando, Florida when we were only fourteen years old. We also received second place at Nationals when we were fifteen.

I believe in determination. I also believe that determination can solve even the toughest problems. I believe in having confidence in yourself and achieving extraordinary things. I am still very much a believer in myself. I often think that I have the power to go anywhere and do anything I want to do in life. That is the power of determination. There are so many possibilities for people who just have the heart to finish what they started.  

Still to this day I continue to achieve new awards for my accomplishments in volleyball. I have learned that I have younger girls that look up to me. It is my job to continue to show them the right way. I will teach them to believe that the power of determination will get you far.