"It's Hard Getting Good Grades" - Study Motivation

Mike Dee

19 Jan 201905:12

Summary

TLDRThis motivational speech emphasizes the importance of choosing to do the hard things in life to achieve success. It challenges the listener to take responsibility, work harder, and push through adversity. By adopting a strong attitude, preparing in advance, and striving for excellence, individuals can transform their future. Failure is framed as a learning opportunity, and perseverance as the path to greatness. The message encourages personal growth, self-reliance, and dedication, urging the listener to stop procrastinating and start actively pursuing their goals with focus and determination.

Takeaways

💪 Success comes from doing hard things that others avoid, like preparing early for exams and studying when others are relaxing.
🤔 If you don't challenge yourself, you will settle for mediocre results in life and school.
🎯 Attitude is more important than talent, money, circumstances, or past failures in determining success.
🚫 You cannot change past mistakes or failures, but you can control how you approach tomorrow.
🔥 Push through the moments when you feel like procrastinating; that's when progress happens.
👊 When life gets tough, don't ask 'Why me?' Instead, say 'Try me' and show your resilience.
🌱 Failing is not the end; it means you're reaching for something worthwhile. Learn from failures, and they're not losses.
🚀 Don't wait for others' approval or keep wondering 'What could have been?'—take risks and seize opportunities.
🎓 Greatness requires effort, dedication, and overcoming adversity—it’s not a smooth ride.
🏆 Stop making excuses, stay focused, and take full responsibility for achieving your goals through hard work and discipline.

Q & A

What is the core message Eddie Gordon is trying to convey in his speech?
-Eddie Gordon emphasizes that life becomes easier when you do the hard things upfront, like studying and preparing in advance, rather than taking the easy route. He believes that taking responsibility and facing challenges head-on leads to personal growth and success.
Why does Eddie Gordon suggest that life will be hard if you only do easy things?
-Gordon argues that by avoiding hard tasks and choosing the easy path, life becomes more difficult in the long run because you miss out on growth opportunities and set yourself up for failure or mediocrity.
What examples does Gordon provide of doing the hard things in life?
-Gordon provides examples like studying when friends are partying and preparing for an exam a month in advance instead of cramming the night before. These are actions that require discipline but lead to better results.
According to the speech, why do people shy away from challenging themselves?
-Gordon suggests that people shy away from challenges because they fear difficulty and hard work. He questions why people settle for less than they can achieve, particularly when it comes to their grades and personal growth.
How does Charles Wendel's perspective on attitude align with Eddie Gordon's message?
-Wendel's view that attitude is more important than circumstances or past failures aligns with Gordon’s message about perseverance. Both emphasize that one’s mindset and decision to confront challenges determine success.
What does Eddie Gordon mean when he says, 'There is no easy mode in this'?
-Gordon is highlighting that there are no shortcuts to success. Achieving good grades and success in life requires hard work and effort, and there are no easy or effortless ways to reach these goals.
How can students turn their grades around, according to the speech?
-Gordon suggests that the easiest way to improve grades is by changing your attitude and mindset. Acknowledge that you aren't working at your full potential and commit to pushing yourself harder.
What does Eddie Gordon say about failure, and how should people deal with it?
-Gordon believes that failure is part of reaching for worthwhile goals and should be seen as a learning experience. He encourages people to get back up and continue trying after a failure, as long as they learn from it.
Why does Gordon stress the importance of taking action and not waiting for others' approval?
-Gordon emphasizes that success depends on personal initiative. He encourages people to stop waiting for others' approval and to take risks, as living with regret for not taking action is worse than failure.
What role does focus play in achieving greatness, according to Eddie Gordon?
-Gordon stresses the importance of focus, particularly in the morning. He advises against distractions like checking emails or phones, instead urging people to concentrate on their goals and take consistent, focused action toward achieving greatness.

Outlines

00:00

💪 Embrace the Hard Path for an Easier Life

This paragraph emphasizes that life will be challenging, but those who choose to do the difficult tasks, such as studying when others are having fun or preparing for exams ahead of time, will find life easier in the long run. It calls for taking the tougher, often lonely road to success, and challenges the reader to step up and stop settling for mediocrity. The message urges one to avoid complacency and embrace hard work to truly discover their potential.

🧠 Your Attitude Shapes Your Success

This paragraph focuses on the power of attitude, quoting Charles Wendel on how it is more important than past experiences, education, skills, or circumstances. It stresses that while one cannot change the past or previous failures, they can change their approach and attitude toward the future. A positive, determined attitude is key to overcoming obstacles and achieving new successes.

🌟 Persevere Through Failure and Seize Opportunity

In this paragraph, the script encourages a shift in mindset during moments of difficulty, advising that when things get tough, one should not ask 'Why me?' but rather, 'Try me.' It highlights the importance of resilience, reminding the reader that failure is part of reaching for something worthwhile. The key message is to view failure as a learning opportunity, to rise after falling, and to continue striving despite setbacks.

🎯 Take Action and Stop Waiting

This paragraph pushes for immediate action, warning against procrastination and seeking approval from others. It stresses the importance of taking risks, avoiding regret, and pursuing one's goals with determination. The reader is urged to decide how badly they want success, to stop making excuses, and to focus on doing the hard work necessary to achieve extraordinary results. The final point underlines that talent alone is not enough; hard work is essential.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Attitude

Attitude refers to one's mental outlook or disposition towards life’s challenges. In the video, it is emphasized as being more important than factors such as past performance, education, or failures. The speaker highlights that a positive, determined attitude is crucial for success and can override external circumstances, influencing how a person approaches and overcomes difficulties.

💡Hard work

Hard work refers to the effort and dedication required to achieve goals, particularly when facing challenging tasks. The video contrasts easy and hard paths in life, stressing that doing hard things—like studying instead of partying—leads to long-term success. This theme underscores the importance of perseverance and effort in academic achievement and life.

💡Failure

Failure is presented as a stepping stone to growth and success, rather than a final outcome. The speaker encourages viewing failure as an opportunity to learn, emphasizing that failing is a sign of reaching for something worthwhile. The concept is tied to resilience, as those who can rise after failure demonstrate true strength.

💡Growth

Growth refers to both personal and academic development. The speaker challenges the listener to reflect on why they avoid pushing their limits, suggesting that growth happens when individuals challenge themselves by facing difficult tasks. The concept encourages embracing discomfort and challenge as pathways to becoming better versions of oneself.

💡Procrastination

Procrastination is the act of delaying tasks, often leading to stress and missed opportunities for success. In the video, the speaker advises against procrastinating, particularly when faced with hard tasks like studying. By emphasizing the need to push past moments of hesitation and act immediately, the video promotes discipline and timely action as essential for success.

💡Potential

Potential refers to the untapped ability or capability within an individual. The speaker stresses that many students are not working at their full potential, settling for less than they can achieve. By recognizing and striving to unlock their potential, students can achieve extraordinary results, which ties into the broader theme of pushing oneself beyond perceived limits.

💡Adversity

Adversity is the presence of obstacles and difficulties in life. The video discusses how greatness is full of adversity, and achieving success is not an easy journey. This concept highlights the idea that overcoming challenges and hardship is part of the path to success, especially in the pursuit of academic excellence.

💡Preparation

Preparation is the act of getting ready for future tasks or challenges. In the video, the speaker advocates for preparing well in advance, such as studying for exams long before they happen. This contrasts with last-minute cramming, and the message emphasizes that consistent preparation leads to greater academic success and reduced stress.

💡Choice

Choice refers to the power of making decisions that shape one’s future. The speaker emphasizes that individuals have the choice to either take the easy path or the hard path, with the latter offering long-term rewards. This concept of choice is central to the video’s message, as it puts the responsibility for success in the hands of the individual.

💡Regret

Regret is the feeling of sorrow or disappointment over something that was not done or achieved. The video warns against the regret of not trying or taking action, encouraging individuals to take risks and work hard to avoid wondering 'what could have been.' It stresses the importance of making the most of opportunities rather than living with regret over missed chances.

Highlights

If you do the easy things in life, life will be hard, but if you do the hard things, life will be easy.

Study when your friends are partying, prepare for exams early when others procrastinate.

Taking the hard, lonely, and cold path is where you'll truly find yourself.

Don't settle for the grades you're getting—challenge yourself.

We have only one lifetime, don't act like you have a hundred more.

It's hard getting good grades, but we are in control of our lives.

If something is hard, do it hard—there's no easy mode in life.

The easiest way to improve your grades is to change your attitude and recognize your potential.

Attitude is more important than facts, past experiences, failures, or successes.

You cannot change past failures, but you can decide how to approach tomorrow.

In moments of procrastination, that's when you have to push through and go for it.

When things get tough, don’t ask 'why me,' say 'try me'—you're stronger than what life throws at you.

If you fail, you’re reaching for something worth failing for—failure isn't final if you learn from it.

Stop waiting and seeking approval—take risks and grab life by the horns.

How bad do you want it? Don't just talk about it—study for it.