The work is worth it
Growing up, I was a cheerleader for over ten years. Every cheer and routine had to be perfect. Each motion, the timing of movements, tumbling, and formation had to be pristine. My coaches through the years insisted the long practices, injuries, and tears would pay off. On competition day in the final moments of our routine, we would leave it all on the floor. "The work is worth it." Those are the words of motivation I told myself before we would perform our routines. They are the words I told myself as I worked toward overcoming my concussion. They are the words that I told myself when I sent in my first college application, applied for my first internship, and what I still to this day, tell myself while working toward a goal.