9. I’m Not As Unique As I Think I Am: I realize this may also sound harsh, or rather, sad. However, the truth in this statement is immense. You may think you’re the only one in the world who writes poems in the style you do and you’re definitely the best at doing it. You may think you have the best layup on the court, but there’s a million other guys like you who can do it just as well and even better. You may be the only one at your high school who can build a robot, or who can quote all of ‘Jurassic Park,’ or who aspires to be the next Martin Goodman. Hate to break it to you, but there are 7 billion people in this world, and about 320 million in the United States alone. This isn’t to crush your hopes and dreams, this is to make you aware of the competition. Success comes with hard work, HARD work. You cannot sit back and think your “natural talent/gift” will be enough. Chase your dreams, but do whatever work you have to in order to get there. Most of all, don’t give up on it.
