Keep Pressing On—No Matter What

Today’s guest post is by Kristina Naydonova, twelve years old

Why is it that we don’t believe in ourselves? Are we too scared to know what it feels like to hit a wall of failure? Do we feel the need to bring ourselves down for validation?

Allow me to tell you that everyone is going to taste failure at least once in their lifetime. If you haven’t failed, you aren’t even trying. You won’t succeed right away because that’s not how life works.

Everybody always assures you to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong, but you should never listen to that. You should find the courage inside of you to want to fall forward, not backward.

I don’t care if there are difficulties lying ahead, and neither should you or anybody else. We all go through rough patches in our lives, and most people choose to walk away. It takes discipline and persistence in order to break through and make a difference.

I’ve had many people tell me that if you have nothing nice to say, don’t say anything at all. You and I weren’t born to stay quiet. We were all born to leave our mark behind in this world. For our voices to be heard.

You refuse to hear the answer “no.” You refuse to be told that you should quit doing something. You refuse to be told that you aren’t good enough because you are. We are all presented an opportunity to grow and to do something that will cause a change in a positive way. It’s up to you if you want to take that opportunity and use it.

You were born with many talents, so what are you going to do with them? Do you really want to leave this world not having made a difference, forever haunted by defeat? As Confucius, a Chinese philosopher, once said: “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop.” In order to achieve something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.

I’ve been experimenting with writing a book since I was eight years old, and published by the time I was twelve, my current age. I’ve had many rejections from literary agents, and I did lose hope at first. I ran into a wall of failure but chose to accept the fact that before success there’s only failure. Thomas Edison ran a thousand experiments that failed, and only on the one thousand and first experiment did he make a breakthrough.

Here are some words of wisdom I would like to share with you:

  • It is scientifically proven that people with a “Plan B” tend to fail at fulfilling “Plan A.” This is due to their “comfort” with making even the most trivial of mistakes, for if they fall back, there will be another system of support to cushion them. Although this may seem to be a wise endeavor, departing your comfort zone is key to reaching a certain zenith of success.
  • Dreams without discipline are simply empty hopes. However, discipline without goals is just a tedious doing.
  • Keep in mind that being disrespectful is not standing up for yourself. It is merely defying one’s views through usage of discourtesy. Handling situations with class and deference will get you significantly far in life.
  • Understand that success has no limits—only if you set them. In many instances, we are told to “dream big.” However, that is a rather futile statement due to its inevitable nature of ensnaring success in constraints. You should never allow for yourself to merely dream big. You should undoubtedly dream infinity.
  • The answer will always be “no” if you don’t try. The only acceptable form of failure is making a mistake, learning from it, and persisting. All other forms are just giving up—and that is the worst thing you can possibly do.

This next message is for young people in this world. Don’t think you’re not worth it. Don’t stop at anything to achieve something, no matter what you’re told. I’ve had agents tell me to stop writing my book and people from my school tell me I’m not smart and not worth it. I didn’t let anybody break me or change my attitude toward life. As long as you believe in yourself and love yourself, there is nothing and nobody that can knock you down.

Kristina Naydonova lives in Washington DC and is currently a twelve-year-old student in middle school. After reading a couple of murder mystery books that intrigued her, Kristina was inspired to put her hobby to the test and write a book. Kristina hopes to change the world and prove that no matter your age, gender, or race, anything is achievable if you have devotion. Check out Kristina’s book here.

Featured Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

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15 Comments

  1. I am honestly hesitant to begin the querying process. Hearing other people’s experience and warnings has made me second guess whether this old lady with anxiety and depression can handle it.

    1. You can absolutely do it! I believe in you; every author, even the most successful ones, had to go through a period of rejection and failure numerous times. If you feel it’s overwhelming, don’t quit; just take some time off to refresh your perspective and understand that you cannot taste success without tasting failure.

    2. Don’t be! I believe in you. You cannot experience success without first tasting true failure. Even the most successful of authors had to undergo rejection at one point in time. Never take no for an answer; stay true to yourself and know that you deserve that yes!

    3. Sorry for the double response! Wasn’t working this morning, so I went in and tried again; guess it did as of now 🙂

  2. Wise words from such a young soul. Thank you, Kristina! You’ve reminded us of the beauty of believing, of the risk in setting our sights based on our passions, and not being afraid to fall flat if that’s what it takes to realize our dreams, whatever they may be. You will change the world because you intend to and won’t take no for an answer. Carry your courage on!

    1. Thank you so much for the kind words! And of course, I am always here to help. It makes me very happy that my article has aided others with remembering the importance of remaining diligent and industrious. All the best to you!

  3. Very true. All good advice. This reminds me of what I drum into my students all the time about persisting and being their original selves. It doesn’t mean they stop practicing (flute or art, take your pick) but it means keeping going and building skills. I had one student who used to make up horrifying stories about a clown doll. I told her to keep writing as I could see a book in her ideas. I lost touch with her but I hope she hasn’t lost touch with her fantastically creepy ideas!

    1. Hello! Thank you so much for your comment and the kind words. That is so amazing of you; I’m sure all your students greatly appreciate the change you have implemented into their lives. I also hope that particular student hasn’t lost touch with her talent, but I do not think she has for one reason: you were there to encourage her and often, that is what a child needs; exhortation from somebody they look up to. Keep doing what you’re doing!

  4. Yo, Kristina! You impress me, girl! I started writing at 34 (almost 60 now), so you’re way ahead of me already. What you said is so true. No B plan for me! It took awhile, but I’m published now with 2 young adult series on the go. There’s no looking back now! All the best with your publishing (and life) endeavors! I’m cheering for you!

    1. Ms. Ledwith,

      Thank you so much for your comment and all the support/kind words! Congratulations on being published; I will definitely check your books out. Hope you have a lovely Friday and ensuing weekend!

  5. Kristina,
    I love that you seem to have a true sense of who you are and where you are going. Your advice is solid for people of all ages. Many people much older than you may understand the messages you write about, but they don’t live them. Live these words and you will go far! This is a really good article. Great luck with your book – and any future ones!

    1. Ms. Duncan,

      Thank you so much for your comment and the kind words. I’m glad you enjoyed reading my article! I will definitely continue living by these words and a similar trope. Hope you have a lovely Friday and weekend!

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