Being Abandoned and 3 Things That Motivated Me

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I was abandoned! Well, not in all aspects of my life but in the project my team were tasked to tackle. Nearing the final stretch, the going got tough, the weak fizzled out and their true character showed. I was left alone on the final lap of the project with little work to work with to help my cause. I had to do a lot on my own.

But I soldiered on and work my abandoned butt off. At the end, I can say I enjoyed the challenged and found a renewed confidence in tackling tasks on my own.

Here are 3 things that motivated me along the way:

1. The lecturer doubted me
   I came to class, settled down on the empty table and chairs where my teammate's butts should have filled. I looked around and see other teams building up their ideas and looking seemingly chilled about the whole project and presentation we had to do at the end of the day. They were relaxed and confident in their teams and one of them even threw a snide remark at me (I'll come to that in point 2).
   
   
   In comparison to the other teams, filled with discussion and life, I was a lone ranger sitting at an over sized desk. My lecturer looked at me displeased and seem to be angry at my team and even me. She doubted my abilities and even asked me what I was going to do. She was probably hinting for me to give up and go home. But to me, there was only one option, do the project on my own with the now added incentive of proving her wrong.
   
   
2. Snide remark by classmate
   During the team formation period, I decided to stick to my current group and not join other teams as I promised my group that I was going to be there for them. On the final stretch of the project I probably looked pathetic on my own and a member from the other team particularly enjoyed my plight and said something along the lines of "Look at BROCO, he didn't want to join our team, now he's alone." It drew scattered laughter and pity out from my fellow classmates for me.
   
   
   
   
   When this happened, I was thinking to myself, "What is up with this people, can't I do this on my own?". Well no, to be honest I thought something more along the lines of "*$%& you, you weak &$*%." It was when I realize how they needed reassurance from their teammates and if they were in my situation, they would probably take the teacher hint, head home and give up on the project altogether. And that snide remark gave me that boost to ace the whole presentation, not on my own, but armed with my buddy Determination and the doubts they have in me.
   
   
3. My mindset
   I think as humans we tend to succumb to fleeing if the consequences were minor or non-existent. In my case, skipping that day would not be too much of an issue and the easier way out was to pack up, give up, go home. But my mindset made me think about the abundance of incentives that await me if I tackled the project even if I am on my own. I would learn so much and build my character and belief in myself from that experience. So I never considered fleeing and pressed on towards the only option in my mind, acing the presentation even if I had to do it on my own.
   
   

Takeaway

There will be times when odds are stacked against you and the option to flee seems like an enticing prospect. But a strong mindset that relish challenges and the desire to reap the rewards will bring you through these times. Oh, and don't forget the doubts and bullshit from the haters, that will give you a boost too.

"We are never out of the fight, join the fight."

BROCO out.