Against ANY Odds
“Fight for What You Want”
Because no one will care more than you do. No one.
As I’ve struggled to learn the ins and outs of bookmaking, it’s been frustrating and almost defeating at times.
Figuring out paper. Figuring out how to make it. Figuring out costs. Rethinking choices. More research. More decisions.
I don’t share this to highlight myself or the workbook, but to illustrate a point about adulthood that I share with my students. No one is pushing me to make this book. No one. This is all on me. My desire. My drive. My determination. My resistance to defeat.3
And the list of other things that I’m not being pushed to do is long.
- No one pushed me to become a chairmaker.
- No one pushes me to improve my school shop program and spend hours researching projects, contacting potential community partners, and finding money.
- No one pushes me to get up early every morning to write and research before the rest of the family gets up.
- No one pushes me to get out into the shop and build.
I know that my readers have the same amount of “freedom” that I do as an adult, with their decisions to pursue hobbies and interests.
I told my wife that it would be cheaper if I just enjoyed video games and scrolling YT after work instead of my woodworking and “side quests”.
So, how do I explain this to my teenage students? They get discouraged when things are difficult. I wrote a piece about ‘Developing Stamina to Learn’ and ‘We Get Stronger By Doing Tough Things’ and this is the next piece in the series.
Whatever mantra, saying, or phrase you need to repeat as you face challenges, do it. Envision this challenge as someone driving 10 mph under the speed limit and you’re trying to reach your destination. What choice words would you choose?1,2 Are you going to give up and return home or are you going to keep pushing forward?
** Note. I do NOT condone road rage. But I have thought (and possibly have voiced) choice words to myself (and any occupants that were present) in the safety of my own vehicle.
But that’s how I think of these challenges. Is it tiring as I face challenge after challenge? Yes. Am I able to find immediate solutions? Not all of the time. But I’ll get there. I’ll get to the finish line. I won’t let ANYTHING stand in my way.
Find a way to accomplish your goals. Against ANY odds. And if you need some help, let me know. There are people around who want to help.
Below are links are phrases with adult language.
1 I think of this music from Ludacris,
2 Another phrase we teachers developed to express our frustrations for people who stood in our way of teaching was “Beep, beep, muthafucka!” as we waved our arms to get them to move to the side. These people could be disruptive students, administrators asking for time-consuming extra things, annoying parents, or soul-sucking coworkers. The list can get long sometimes…
It’s hard to not get frustrated when challenges appear, but laughing and making light of them helps me to settle the emotions and start the process of finding a solution.
3 Like the caption under the picture stated, I had to order new binding material. They should be here early this week. I’m hoping to have a few ready to be sent out on Friday.