My Greatest Strength Research Paper

"We all have dreams. In order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline and effort." Running has been a part of my life for four years now and in my short involvement in the sport, it has completely changed the kind of person I am, and the kind of person I want to be. Throughout the past few years, people always ask me "why do you run? What motivates you? And to be honest, I have a variety of reasons for why I am 100% committed and dedicated to being a runner.

What is actually being valued to our students’? Dweck points out, “In our society, we seem to worship talent- and we often portray it as a gift”. (Pg.15) This is an absolute prime example why students’ tend to get defensive of each other's intelligence. For instance, students’ presume that the gifted get to attend class, sit there and become successful. In this case, that statement is incorrect, you have to work for the success you crave, creates problems within the students’. Not only teachers, but parents need to realize that praising children is the inaccurate approach to do, and it will later benefit them in doing

(Focht, 2015). In a previous role I held, I had three direct reports. Each were at different

I had no experience as a runner nor did I have the form. This did not phase me however. That year I promised myself to push through all the six mile runs, sore legs, gnarly blisters, and at times, lack of oxygen. At every meet and speed workout practice I pushed myself further and further. I set a goal every time I kicked off from the starting line and never let myself get discouraged when I failed. By my senior year, I was the fourth fastest runner on varsity. That year our varsity team won the district meet, which qualified us to run in the 2016 state meet in Oregon. The transformation over the years were evident. My determination to accomplish my goal of becoming a faster runner was complete. If I had simply just given up that first day of practice, I wouldn't have ran along side of the fastest runners in Oregon or have met the multitude of people that are now my closest friends. Having a goal sets one up for a challenge, whether it being physically or mentally, goals keep us active and thinking in more ways than one. Still, if someone has self-control, confidence, and a goal, they are still not complete.

No one is successful in life without opportunity and hard work: ““Practice isn't the thing you do once you're good. It's the thing you do that makes you good” (Gladwell 42). The two coincide and are the keys to triumph. Even if a child is blessed to have a father who plays basketball professionally, the child will never succeed without hours of practice. It is those who seize opportunities that

When I was young I got into a bad car accident and it caused me to stop doing some things that I loved or wanted to do like gymnastic. So I decided to run track and cross-country, I run for school and also help at the football games. I can also play softball I would play in the Summer. I

I was able to become the person I never thought I would be by running my way to being happy. My team is always there for me and continues to push me to be the best version of myself no matter what. Running was able to save my life by giving me a

I used to be able to run so fast I could fly. Racing through the woods behind my house I was untouchable, unbeatable; I imagined I was a graceful as a fox and as fast as a deer racing over bushes, logs, and ditches. Running served as an escape from the perfect student, perfect manners persona I adopted in the classroom allowing me to break out of my shy shell and go from being ¨the teacher’s pet¨ to ¨the fast girl.¨ My love of running-- as well as my parents-- drove me to play soccer; I ditched my goody two shoes for cleats and never looked back. I could chase down any opponent and outrun any defender, through sports I completely let my boundaries down.

Because of these opportunities I am more motivated to succeed. Despite spending more time doing sports, because of the sweet taste of success and being hungry for more, I have seen positive impacts in all areas of my life, including my grades. My life has changed for the better since I started track and field. In my elementary and most of my middle school years I played soccer, however I only put enough effort to make the top team.

There will come a point in everyone’s life when they realize they are simply not good enough at a certain task. It is this negative energy that can fuel some and ruin others. When I was in 8th grade I simply was not talented enough to make a club soccer team, but that heartbreak did not dissolve my desire to play, and eventually taught me lessons I will take to my grave.

Each of the four years I have been in college has brought a unique challenge and opportunity for growth. For two and half years I ran year-round on the cross country and track team, until I realized I was forcing myself to run eight to sixteen miles a day. That, and the fear that I missing out on other opportunities, resulted in me giving up the sport I enjoyed for over eight years. I do not regret the decision though. I am still able to run and pursue physical fitness through many other enjoyable means such as long bike rides, tennis and hiking.

I believe in strength. I believe in the strength to push myself to stand up to those who doubt me. I will not let others take advantage of me. I will not allow myself to be trampled by others. If I am treated negatively I will let the other person know that I am not someone that can be taken advantage of. I speak up when I am doubted or I am treated in a negative way, because I believe in the strength of the mind. I believe in the strength to get back up after being pushed down. When I am treated in a negative way, I use the strength of my mind to prove others wrong by positive thought. I believe in physical strength. I believe that the power of the body can lead me to accomplish many things that I never thought I would be able to.

Had my own weakness in school and early college days. May be because of my daydreaming even while I was reading out loud, or may be because of my lack of concentration. Had the will to learn more, but did not know the method. Therefore, used to spend a lot of time studying without understanding it.

Albert Einstein said: “ I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious”. Talent is something that people achieve a particular exceptional skills that others cannot. Today’s world some people believe that talent is given by God when a child comes to this world, and all you need to succeed at anything is talent. It is clear that everyone is gifted with a talent by God but the level of it differs. Some other, on the other hand, claim that any person can be trained to be talented; therefore, your talent is your choice. Geoffrey Colvin wrote, “ The critical reality is that we are not hostage to some naturally granted level of talent. We can make ourself what we will”. From the point of my view, Geoffrey Colvin’s claim is true because when people want to succeed something a lot, at that time their desire,

There is nothing worse than seeing someone not reach their full potential and I, like many others, find myself wondering why. Why don’t people who have more than enough God-given talent and ability reach their full potential? After a lot of soul searching, I have pinpointed the three components that I believe add together and result in someone not achieving all that they are capable of. A lack of confidence being the first combined with a fear of change which promotes someone to settle for less than they are capable of.