Something that stuck with me and sparked the idea for this piece happened Sept. 16, 2024, when Malika Andrews came to UP. The Beacon was invited to a Q&A session in which she was asked by a former UP alum and Beacon reporter a question about achieving more. Andrews responded, “Watch me.” This is what she says to those who doubt her abilities.
In life, we are constantly surrounded by challenges. The path we’ve traveled may be marked by missteps and detours, and the road ahead may feel uncertain, steep or altogether obscured. Yet, amid these uncertainties, there lies the unwavering potential for growth, progress and achievement. To achieve more is not necessarily about setting lofty goals or living up to external standards. It’s about commitment to improvement, no matter the obstacles behind or the unknowns that lie ahead.
First, achieving more doesn’t mean ignoring the past; it means learning from it.
Past mistakes and struggles can serve as invaluable guides. If we regard these experiences as lessons rather than failures, we’re empowered to approach future challenges with a stronger foundation. This mindset shifts our focus from what went wrong to what we gained, fostering resilience. And when we recognize our resilience, we find ourselves better equipped to face whatever lies in front of us. This is what us education majors call a growth mindset.
The uncertainties of the future are another inevitable part of the journey.
It’s tempting to get bogged down by what-ifs, whether they come in the form of professional insecurities, societal expectations or personal doubts. But achieving more isn’t about having everything figured out; it’s about pushing forward despite not having all the answers. Growth happens when we step into the unknown, armed with the insights and strength we’ve cultivated from our past. Now is the time to take those unbalanced, insecure steps.
It’s also important to remember that our goals don’t have to be huge to matter.
Small, consistent steps are often more sustainable and meaningful than radical overhauls. Success, then, isn’t a final destination but a way of engaging with each moment, each taskand each day. We are defined not by an end point but by our willingness to pursue, improve and embrace the present.
Lexi Buckner is a photographer for The Beacon. She can be reached at bucknera27@edu.up.
