How Determined Are You?

At some point in my senior year of college, I knew I wanted to be a college professor. Up until that time, I had no clue about the future. When people asked me what I planned to do after graduation, my stock response was, “I don’t know, but I’ll never teach.” Then, one day, I came to a personal understanding of the old adage “never say never.” Teaching was in my future . . . and so was five years of graduate study.

I approached the two year Masters program I entered with excitement and eagerness. Doctoral work was another story altogether. Fear, anxiety, stress, worry, those were the hallmarks of the Ph.D. for me. Many days, I battled the fear of failure. What if I couldn’t handle the workload? How in the world would I recall every shred of information I needed to pass the oral and written comprehensive exams? What if I couldn’t write the dissertation? What if I wrote the dissertation only to have it rejected?

I vividly remember long days and all-nighters writing essay upon essay upon essay. My social life was non-existent, particularly in the nine months leading up to comprehensive exams as my schedule consisted of studying and short breaks for eating. The only variety came on Sunday when I took time out for church in the morning and evening. Earning the Ph.D. was my full-time, seven-day-a-week job.

So why am I telling you my sob story? Because just as determination was key in my successfully completing graduate work, it is crucial to your life as a writer as well.

I’m not at all suggesting that you should approach writing with the level of insanity I attacked the doctoral degree. I would say, though, that your dream to write won’t become reality unless you take prisoner all excuses. Force doubts about your ability from your mind. Reject mediocrity in your writing. Hone your skills. And write.

Perseverance pays off. I have a degree I’m proud of, a rewarding teaching career, and a slew of wonderful students to keep me motivated.

Maybe your payoff will be a best seller or a long, productive writing career. Or maybe it’ll simply be the satisfaction of knowing that every day you’ve lived true to your passion to share your life with others via the written word.

--Cheryl