University of California - Santa Barbara
Failure IS Success
Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?
"You are next." The words of the referee still resonated in my mind as I walked across the soccer field. After 90 minutes of intense play, the score was still tied. The outcome of the game was in my hands. Coach Alcaraz had entrusted me with the responsibility of taking the last penalty kick of the game. I can still feel the magnitude of the moment. The weight of the world on my shoulders. My teammates were counting on me. It was the first penalty I had ever taken in my life.
It all happened too quickly. I stepped up to the ball, and heard the referee’s whistle. The ball sailed towards the goal, elevating higher into the right corner of the goal. Crossbar. Game over.
Still to this day, I am proud of that moment. Not because I missed the penalty but because I had volunteered to take it in the first place. In life, the only way to achieve success is to taste failure. I have learned a lot from myself. I am a risk taker and I am willing to try new things. Failure does not intimidate me. Even if I am guaranteed to fail, I will not step down. Ever since I took that penalty kick, I have become more willing and accepting when it comes to testing my limits. What I learned is that there are no limits because life has infinite...
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