Stop looking sideways

If I beat them, I’ll be enough.

If I stay with them, I’ll matter.

If I run as fast as them… as strong… as good….

But the Ifs never end.

Because there is always someone

Faster,

Stronger,

Better.

Every time you look at them,

You forget yourself.

Your late nights.

The quiet efforts.

The days no one noticed.

Comparison doesn’t push you forward

It pulls you back.

It’s…

Breaking you down.

Real success doesn’t come from chasing someone else’s path

It comes from you.

Showing up when it’s hard.

Pushing when you want to be quiet.

Working when no one is watching.

Believing that you are enough to begin with.

Stop looking sideways.

Look how far you have come.

And keep going toward your goal.

Anya Volkmann

Anya Volkmann just finished 8th grade at Decorah Middle School. She is in mock trial, cross country, soccer, track, and basketball. Anya loves to spend time with family and friends when she can.

We created Future Focused, a new Inspire(d) column written by pre-teens and teens, to help give the next generation an opportunity to share their voices. Partnering with Dana Hogan, the Extended Learning Program teacher at Decorah Middle School, we offered prompts around progress, growth, success, and overcoming difficulties. Students submitted some really great work, and four were chosen for this Inspire(d). You can read all the Future Focused pieces published so far at iloveinspired.com/category/future-focused. Here’s to Listening to the Next Generation! – Aryn

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