When I was younger, I struggled in school.

 

I failed fifth grade, and man, was that embarrassing.

 

I barely graduated high school.

 

And there were reasons for all of it.

 

Lack of stability, support, neglect, and abuse were all things I faced as a child.

 

On top of that, I worked almost full time while going to school.

 

It was hard trying to focus on studies, work, and somehow still have a social life.

 

But one thing I was determined about was this:

 

I did not want to believe I was “dumb” and I did not want to end up reliving the turbulent and impoverished life I had as a child.

 

So I decided to challenge that belief and give myself a chance by going to college.

 

And that became a journey of its own.

 

I not only had to pay for it myself, but I didn’t have examples in my family of anyone who had done it.

 

I remember taking my first course and feeling completely overwhelmed. I thought, “What is this guy even talking about?”

 

I dropped the class right at the end.

 

Turns out I got a B anyway.

 

That was its own lesson.

 

Don’t leave too soon, because sometimes we don’t realize we’re doing better than we think.

 

College was rough for a while until something changed.

 

I had a five-hour break between classes, and since my commute was about 45 minutes, it made no sense to drive home.

 

So I stayed.

 

I used that time to work out and study.

 

One of the classes I was taking was actually a class I was retaking because I had gotten a D in it before. (It was a Psychology class of all things, lol)

 

But because I used all that extra time to study, I ended up getting an A+.

 

That changed something in me.

 

Later, when I transferred to a four-year university, I got help and learned to study two hours for every hour I spent in class.

 

The helper at the student center helped me organize my schedule and to always know what assignments, papers, or tests were coming up.

 

I stuck to that schedule.

 

My friends would go out and party and come back home and be amazed I was in the same spot studying.

 

It paid off, and even the studying became easier and shorter.

 

It was like a muscle I was developing.

 

I graduated with honors.

 

Why do I share this story?

 

First, because I think college gets a bad rap these days.

 

And honestly, I understand why.

 

Without direction, a degree alone can feel meaningless.

 

But there’s something deeper here.

 

I’ve coached very smart, successful, and even wealthy men who never finished college.

 

And sometimes, underneath all their success, there was still insecurity.

 

Would getting a degree have completely fixed that insecurity?

 

I’m not sure.

 

But I can speak from my own experience.

 

Getting my college degree proved something to me.

 

It showed me that I could do hard things.

 

That I could show up consistently, study, learn, and grow.

 

And that gave me confidence.

 

Do I remember everything I learned in college?

 

Honestly, no. Some things stuck, and some didn’t :-)

 

But I’m grateful for the experience.

 

I’m grateful I put in the time and work.

 

So maybe you doubt yourself today.

 

Maybe you think you’re not smart enough.

 

Or talented enough.

 

Or coordinated enough.

 

Don’t let doubt run your life. Challenge it.

 

Get help if you need it.

 

Remember that if other people have done it, you can too.

 

We are far more capable than we imagine.

 

But sometimes we have to take the journey to discover that for ourselves.

 

Wishing you the courage to see who you truly are,

 

Bert

 

P.S: If you know someone, with potential, who may just need the right support... feel free to send them my way.  I promise to take very good care of them!