Go HARD!
This is the final week of an 8 week class for one of my courses for my PhD Program. Over the course of these past 8 weeks, we were required to complete 4 discussion forums; and 40 pages of research, with a total of 49-50 resources/references. As most of you know, school isn’t the only thing I have going on. I have a full family, sit on boards, direct organizations, run a small business, have a Ministry with my husband, etc.
Someone recently asked me how do you do all of that? And here’s my summarized response: It’s God, drive, grit, determination, purpose, an extremely supportive family/circle, folks helping behind the scenes in various ways, and here’s the big one 👉🏽 DISCIPLINE. Potential and skill is not enough. You must have DISCIPLINE.
And it’s interesting because this week I was having a “Blah” moment (that happens when you are trailblazing) and my husband said to the family, “We have to keep making these sacrifices so we can reach our goals.”
For years, I hated the morning as I was just never a “morning person.” But oh how that has changed!❤️ However, God kept telling me...if you want more—and if you’re ever going to stretch your capacity...you must put in the work and make sacrifices.
I’ve made so many sacrifices these past twenty years—and at times, I have felt totally out of my mind. But I knew what God said...and I knew that no one was going to change the narrative of my family but me. You can’t go from being a teen mom twice; having an ACE score (Adverse Childhood Experiences) that’s not even on the chart; a high school drop out, etc., to where I am now, by simply praying that God changes things/turn it around without your active participation.
All of that to say...I’m not encouraging you to take on things that you aren’t called and/or graced to do—but I am challenging you to make a sacrifice! It might mean sacrificing your favorite snack for a healthy one because your body needs “good/healthy” energy; it might mean working out; getting up early; less time on your computer or phone browsing (say what you need to say & get off of social media); perhaps more time resting, recharging, studying, researching, reading, etc.
At the end of the day...your success is YOUR responsibility. No one will do it for you. If you want more, you have to do what it takes to get it. Thus...what are you willing to sacrifice now... so that your future will thank you later?
Canena Adams, LLBSW, MA, SRAS
Wife | Mother | Writer | Author | Public Speaker | Social Worker | Business Owner | Nonprofit Founder & Director | Sexual Risk Avoidance Specialist | Healthy Family & Relationship Advocate | Adjunct College Prof. | PhD Student (Public & Social Policies)