I was watching a YouTube channel recently from one of my favorite Korean vloggers, haegreendal. I was watching her video called titled “Even though you didn’t wake up early, today is good” . It was at the 10:23 mark that inspired me to write this post.
“Most difficult things are only difficult in the beginning”
–haegreendal from YouTube – @ 10:23 https://youtu.be/zCIr-lbCuXc?t=623
It was in this exact moment of the video that got me thinking. Of all the difficult things that I encountered in my life, it all seemed difficult in the beginning. Looking back at various journeys I took in my lifetime so far, they all progressively got better and I even surprised myself for going through a lot of things I went through.
This brings me back to the time when I first passed my Army APFT, the annual physical fitness that all US Army soldiers take to maintain their good standing in the military, among other things. I could not pass the APFT when I first joined the Army, and it was in Fort Stewart, GA where I passed my first APFT.
I can still remember the feeling I had when I passed. As I was about to pass the 2 mile mark of my run when I heared my grader that I was at least 3 minutes ahead of my time. I crossed the finish line. I still kept running away from the track for another 50 feet and I started jumping and screaming for joy. My battle buddies came running towards me and we all hugged and cheered so loud. Preparing for the APFT was a huge struggle for me. I had to learn to do push-ups, sit-ups, and run 2 miles within a certain time. Prior to joining the Army, I was fat, sedentary, and could not do any push-ups, sit-ups, or run 1/4 miles non-stop.
“Most difficult things are only difficult in the beginning”
–haegreendal from YouTube – @ 10:23 https://youtu.be/zCIr-lbCuXc?t=623
If you try and try again, you will succeed.
What did it took for me to succeed? How did I do it?
I gave myself time, patience, and tools to succeed. This is what you need to do also in order to achieve your goals. I kept working out daily alternating the workouts I did. I followed a couch to 5k program to train for the run. I did push-ups, sit-ups until failure. I used my apartment complex gym for their treadmill. Also, I did took breaks in between to rest myself. I equipped myself with the tools I needed to be successful.
I will perform. I will succeed. I will do my best. I will pass the test.
My self-mantra when I was training for the US Army APFT
Prior to passing my APFT, the run was the worst for me. I hated running before. What I discovered while training for the APFT was I fell in love with running, loved listening to EDM music while running, and I learned to run in cold, snowy weather. (FYI: I was living in Portsmouth, New Hampshire during this time, hence the snow. A Filipina/Floridian learning to live in New Hampshire during my first real winter…that’s another post)
If you have a goal you want to achieve, you have what it takes to get it. If I was able to pass the APFT because I worked hard to get it, so can you. What is the difference between you and someone who already did what you’re trying to do? They put in the work and got success from it. Hardwork does not differentiate between race, ethnicity, income level, or even gender. Hardwork knows hardwork only. So, what is it going to be for you? Are you going to work hard to achieve your goal? Are you going to get what you deserve?
If you say yes to this, step forward and get what you deserve in life. No one else will get it but you. Take the first step in making things happen for yourself. In return, the universe will award you tenfold.
What are you waiting for? Start right now.
