Girl 1: "Ugh, we keep messing up...."

2012-05-14

Girl 1: "Ugh, we keep messing up. I don't think we can do this."

Girl 2: "Come on, you know we can. This is what we have been working on all year, you KNOW we can do this; let's just try again."

As I was having lunch on the big stairs of the Salt Palace at this year's ICDC, I noticed two girls right below me practicing a presentation. I couldn't help but overhear the conversation above. I really didn't think twice about it, mainly because I was very hungry and quite focused on my meal. But the next time I saw these two girls, they were on stage receiving their First Place prize at Grand Awards. The excitement on their faces was indescribable. It was apparent how hard they worked to achieve this goal of theirs.

There is a lesson we can take from these two girls. Giving up and making excuses is always the easiest option. So often we create a habit of not working our hardest or making excuses, so when we do fail we have something to blame it on. Challenge yourself to set higher goals this year, and when things get tough, imagine yourself accepting that first place prize. When you make it there, you will be happy you didn't make excuses. Let the opportunities DECA provides help you THRIVE!

Morgan Thompson, DECA National President