Chasing Goals – How Determination Shapes Who We Become

Have you ever created a goal so enormous that it intimidated you?

Doing something of value is never simple. Whether it’s a personal aspiration, an educational achievement, or a sporting contest, real success demands more than talent—it requires drive, determination, and the desire to keep going, even when things get complicated. Success never proceeds straight; it’s bumpy, rocky, and complete with self-doubt, setbacks, and times when it seems easier to give up. However, successful people do not let anything stand in their way when they want something. They take those hardships and use them as fuel to drive even stronger.

In Shelli Spratling’s book “Freshman Year,” Jaymie Bradley knows about determination. She has grand ambitions, which include outrunning the top runner from her school, Heidi, and she is only a freshman running against a seasoned senior. But as she practices and runs, she discovers that winning is not all—reaching the end of the race first. It’s about persistence, learning, and the times in between. She has doubting moments, can’t manage to prove herself, and whether she has the stuff to make it happen is in question. But despite all this, she keeps pushing forward, finding out that real success isn’t about being the best—it’s about challenging yourself to become better than you ever believed you could be.

One of the most inspiring parts of the book is how it portrays the emotional side of pursuing a goal. We prefer to think that success is based on hard work, but a war in the mind also follows. Fear of failure, the pressure to deliver, and comparison with others may all lead to stagnation. Jaymie’s experience reminds us that belief in oneself is less important than hard work. She learns that losing isn’t the end of the line—it’s only a step further on the path.

Everyone who has ever fought against self-doubt or experienced barriers to realizing their dreams will be able to find themselves in Freshman Year. The book is an excellent reminder that the path to success isn’t smooth but is always worthwhile. Jaymie’s tale reinforces that determination, even in the context of unknowns, makes us who we are. And sometimes, the most remarkable triumphs aren’t based on trophies or rankings, but on the strength and confidence, we develop along the way.