When I was elementary-age, I wanted to be the President of the United States. In 4th grade, I vividly recall learning the requirements needed to do just that. I was born in the U.S., would easily be a resident for 14 years soon, and although it would be a while before I turned 35, I was prepared to make becoming the President my life's work. At that age, the most commonly asked question is, "What do you wanna be when you grow up?" That was always so easy for me to answer because duh, I wanted to be POTUS. To this day, my grandfather still asks me if I will the President. Of all the people who asked, they always encouraged me to go for it. Although my career choice has pivoted a bit, I believed I could pursue any dream I wanted to because so many people believed in me first. In the same way, I simply want to be a beacon for the next generation that others were for me.

A "no" is just aNOther opportunity to succeed at the goal(s) you are trying to reach.