Taking a Page from Heather

Sometimes you have to push--and even break a sweat--to make good things happen.

No one knows that better than Heather, a promising young writer and former student of mine from another college.  A few years ago, Heather and two of her classmates decided to start a women's magazine at their school.  Though they'd never produced a publication from start to finish, they took the plunge anyway, developing the magazine's "look," giving it a name, brainstorming story ideas, recruiting writers, photographers and designers, and setting out to see what they could produce.

Like every creative venture, the process had its trying moments.  Some people who'd promised to help didn't come through.  Others didn't collaborate or communicate as well as they should have.  There were occasional missteps, sometimes requiring fixes.  There were also ridiculously long production delays (not the students' doing), along with a few campus naysayers who weren't exactly supportive.

Still, Heather pressed on.  She could have decided that the hassles weren't worth it and junked the whole project.  But she stayed with it and wound up producing an informative and eye-catching publication.  Not everyone recognized how much time, thought, work, and heart went into the magazine, but those of us who were rooting for her certainly did.

This post isn't really about producing a magazine--which may or may not be on your goals list--but  instead about having  the patience, energy, and tenacity to bring your own vision to life.  Many students I meet in college have goals and plans for themselves: to enter a profession, start a business, become a writer or artist or performer, etc. etc.  But the first time they hit a bump in the road, many become discouraged and give up.

Don't!  No matter what you aspire to do in your life, you're bound to encounter at least some obstacles and setbacks.  But if your dreams and goals matter enough to you, you can't let circumstances get in the way.  You have to keep trying.  You have to keep going forward.  Quitting doesn't provide much comfort.

So whether you're graduating from Nassau this month, registering for your next semester at NCC, or starting here in September, take a page from Heather.  Give your goals, whatever they are, your best shot.  Don't worry if you stumble; everyone does.  Ignore the doubters; they're not worth your time.  And remember that in the end, the only person you really have to worry about pleasing is yourself.