I stopped settling for the less.

In one way or another, every individual has one or more weaknesses that are standing in his or her way towards achieving his or her full potential. Over the years, I have encountered many challenges, and in each of them, I worked very hard to overcome them, especially when the weakness that gave rise to the challenge was identified.

One weakness that has affected me to an extent that I would like to talk about is impatience. I am the kind of person who is always in a hurry to get whatever it is that I want. In many cases, I would not be patient enough to get what I truly desire. Once something close to it comes my way, I will grab it. In many of such instances, I would regret later not waiting for more time to get the true thing that I desired. If it's about having an ambition, I always want to achieve my goals as soon as possible, especially when my friends are achieving something similar.

I remember my experience when I finished secondary school and was waiting to proceed to the university. I had a dream of studying a particular course. However, when an admission came my way, I couldn't exercise any further patience. I grabbed the course that I was offered and began my studies. I had my dream course, but impatience couldn't let me wait for it. During the same period, I had a friend who waited to get admitted to his desired course. He waited two more years but didn't settle for less until he got what he wanted. A few years later, I wished I had done the same. I later learned to love what I have and move on.

Even after leaving school, impatience has made me lose better opportunities.

A few years ago, I realized how these habits were drawing me back from maximizing my potential. I sat down and reflected on my decisions over the years. I decided to change my mindset.

Why not aim for the best? Why settle for less? What is the point of rushing to get "just anything" and later being unhappy because something better later comes my way that I couldn't get because I made an earlier choice out of impatience?

I sat down and provided answers to the above questions. I convinced myself that it wasn't worth it. I made up my mind to always have my goal and work towards achieving it. I decided not to rush in grabbing something lesser.

This first litmus test came my way shortly after. A job opportunity came to me, but the job fell short of my goals and aspirations. While the pay was better than that of the work I was doing, I was in a little dilemma of communicating my decision to the company that offered me the new job. I reminded myself that I promised myself to always pursue my goal without compromise. I turned down the offer for not aligning with my career preference. I never regretted doing so. That was when I built the needed courage to say no to whatever it is that is making me settle for less.

I believe that achieving my dream is possible. I mean the exact dream that I nursed. I also came to the realization that it may take me more than double the time that Mr. A spent to achieve his goals before I could achieve similar goals. I have to wait for my time while I work hard to get it during the waiting period. I mustn't settle for something less while I wait, especially if setting for it would hinder me from taking up better opportunities.

Since I changed my mindset and decision-making process in this regard, I have been happier with whatever I settled for. The implication is that it gives me a better sense of fulfillment and a step towards attaining my bigger goals.