The Power of Perseverance | Michelle Neujahr | TEDxSMCC

Summary

This powerful narrative follows the journey of a woman who overcame extreme adversity and self-doubt to pursue her dreams. From a childhood of poverty and rejection to becoming a single mother and later a community college teacher, her story is one of resilience and determination. Despite constant negative voices and overwhelming challenges, she clung to a message instilled by motivational speakers: 'Do not give up.' Her story emphasizes the importance of persistence, the power of dreams, and the impact of sharing one’s personal journey as a source of inspiration for others.

Takeaways

• 😀 The power of dreams: The speaker believed in their dreams from a very young age, including becoming a motivational speaker, an author, and living in Maine as a lobster woman.
• 😀 Influence of motivational tapes: Despite growing up in poverty, the speaker was exposed to motivational tapes by their father, which played a significant role in shaping their mindset.
• 😀 Struggles with self-doubt: Despite early inspiration, the speaker faced major challenges, including being labeled a misfit and dropout, and the constant struggle with negative self-talk.
• 😀 The impact of stories: The speaker recalls that the stories of motivational speakers were more influential than the specific techniques or formulas they shared. The core message was 'do not give up.'
• 😀 Turning point in high school: After facing failure and being sent to an alternative school, the speaker was later given a scholarship, which reignited hope and a desire to pursue education.
• 😀 Overcoming adversity: The speaker navigated difficult circumstances, such as teen pregnancy and living on welfare, while struggling to believe in their dreams and pursue their goals.
• 😀 The role of labor and perseverance: The speaker compares the painful experience of childbirth to life’s challenges, emphasizing that the only way out of hardship is to push through it.
• 😀 The promise to a child: After the birth of their son, the speaker vowed to not give up on their dreams and to break the cycle of poverty, committing to a better life for their child.
• 😀 The power of education: Despite self-doubt, the speaker continued their education, eventually earning a degree and becoming a teacher at a community college, showcasing the transformative power of education.
• 😀 The importance of sharing one's story: The speaker learned that the real power in teaching and motivating others lies in sharing personal experiences, connecting with people through shared struggles, and inspiring perseverance.

Q & A

What was the speaker’s dream at the age of eight?

The speaker dreamed of becoming a motivational speaker, an author, and living in Maine as a lobster woman. She believed in these dreams wholeheartedly, despite the challenging circumstances she faced.

How did the speaker’s upbringing influence her journey?

Growing up in poverty in inner-city Minneapolis, the speaker faced adversity. However, her father’s love for motivational tapes and positive affirmations in the household provided her with a foundation of hope and inspiration, even in tough times.

What role did motivational tapes play in the speaker’s life?

Motivational tapes, especially those by Zig Ziglar, played a pivotal role in the speaker’s early life. They instilled in her the belief that she could overcome challenges and achieve her dreams, with messages like 'Do not give up' guiding her through tough moments.

How did the speaker’s self-esteem and belief in her dreams change during high school?

In high school, the speaker’s self-esteem deteriorated, and she became influenced by negative thoughts. She struggled with feelings of inadequacy, leading her to be sent to an alternative school. The motivational tapes and messages she once believed in were replaced by self-doubt.

What was the turning point that brought the speaker back to hope after becoming pregnant?

The turning point came when the alternative school saw potential in her and awarded her a scholarship to attend college. Despite her personal challenges, the speaker remembered the message from Zig Ziglar to 'Do not give up,' which encouraged her to accept the opportunity.

How did the speaker’s college experience reflect her internal struggles?

When the speaker began college, she felt like an outsider. Her clothes and background made her feel different from the other students. Internal struggles and self-doubt resurfaced, with negative thoughts telling her she didn’t belong. Yet, she pushed through despite these challenges.

What was the significance of the dead bugs in the speaker’s notebook?

The dead bugs in the notebook symbolized the speaker's struggles and circumstances. It was a moment of humiliation for her, showing how far removed she felt from the ideal student. However, it also highlighted the reality of her situation and the strength required to persevere.

How did the speaker’s perspective shift when she became a teacher at Southern Maine Community College?

Becoming a teacher at Southern Maine Community College was a moment of self-doubt for the speaker. She feared she wasn't smart enough or qualified. However, the experience forced her to confront her insecurities, and she realized that by sharing her own story, she could inspire others.

What did the speaker learn from her first class as a teacher?

In her first class as a teacher, the speaker realized that she had forgotten to share her own personal story. She had focused too much on delivering information, forgetting that her journey and struggles could resonate more deeply with students and inspire them.

What is the central message the speaker wants to convey to her audience?

The central message the speaker wants to convey is the power of persistence and not giving up on your dreams. She encourages others to keep fighting, no matter how difficult the journey may be, and to ignore the negative voices that say it's impossible.