It takes courage to be a “Steve”. It also takes courage to be honest when “Steve” gets anywhere near a bull’s-eye with our hearts. Good job Bren. Honesty and courage, and appropriate change, will pay dividends, for a lifetime. And then some.
Below is an email that changed my life. For three years after earning my accounting degree, I struggled to find the confidence to study for and take the CPA exams. I was paralyzed by the fear of failure and the possibility of not passing. Although I purchased the study materials, my anxiety stopped me from ever scheduling the exams.
When I finally decided to give it a try, my study materials were about to expire after 18 months of inactivity. I needed more time, so I wrote an email to Steve, my CPA study teacher, explaining that I had just gotten married and that my job at JPMorgan Chase was in its busy season. I thought all these were valid excuses.
Steve’s response to my email transformed my life. He saw through my excuses and addressed my fear of failure head-on. This email has stayed with me since February 2014, serving as a powerful reminder to take risks and accept the possibility of failure. AND JUST DO IT.
Thank you, Steve, for your honesty and the kick in the pants. Your email truly changed my life.
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Brenen
You know, after doing this for nearly 30 years I have heard every excuse in the world as to why someone wasted the money they spent on my course and failed to follow my instructions – then believe they are entitled to some sort of special dispensation because their situation is somehow “unique.” But they are rarely ever unique – and yours is not either. You merely looked for excuses to waste the opportunity you had. You allowed other things to distract you. I have had students who had to endure incredible obstacles to pass the exam. I had a student who had life threatening emergency brain surgery shortly after she started the course and still finished the exam in under 18 months. I have had several women give birth while taking the course, and still finished the exam in 6 to 12 months. I have had students finish all 4 parts during busy season with big CPA firm! I have had students complete all 4 parts in 3 months while working full time in public accounting. It is really just a matter of stick-to-it-iveness and determination. I know you think you have valid reasons for not doing what you were supposed to do. But believe me, they are just excuses. I am sorry to sound harsh. But at age 60, my sympathy bucket for stupid decisions is empty.
Striving for righteousness means trying to achieve the highest and best in every endeavor you undertake. It does not mean fiddling around and wasting your opportunities.
But – I admit as I must – you are still young and prone to losing focus. And I know as well as anyone – none are righteous – no not one.
So I will give you 17 more days. But this is it. If you do not do what I tell you to do – that means following the MDS study plan, doing all of your homework and earning Free Repeat – I do not want to hear any whining!
Just do it
-Steve
