Guard Your Gates

Gravity is an invisible force that pulls everything down, anchoring us to the earth. I felt that force for three years, and yet, in 2024, I experienced a personal triumph that defied this gravitational pull—I graduated with my MBA. In a graduating class filled with brilliant Generation Z students, I felt out of place. A Generation Xer well into my career, I had no initial incentive to pursue such a degree. The invisible forces holding me back were daunting:

• Fear of Failure
• Doubt
• Time Constraints

However, I found ways to overcome these gravitational forces:

• Faith Over Fear: Trusting God to help me finish.
• Family Support: Leaning on the encouragement and love of my family.
• Relentless Drive for Learning: My unwavering commitment to personal and professional growth.

Overcoming Gravitational Forces

Consider how a rocket launches into space. When the engines push gases downward, an upward thrust is created, propelling the rocket skyward. Once it reaches escape velocity, the speed needed for the rocket to break free from the gravitational force of the earth, it enters orbit.  Once in orbit, although still influenced by gravity, the rocket is no longer controlled by it. Just like when you blow up a balloon and release it, the air rushing out causes the balloon to fly around. Similarly, the rocket’s engines push out gases, which propel the rocket upward.

What is holding you back?  Just like you cannot see gravity, the forces that hold us back are also invisible.  Yet, even though you can’t see them, you can see the effect of them working in your life:

1. Fear of Failure

“What if I don’t pass the final?” These are thoughts that came into my mind. Fear of failure can hinder progress. Change your attitude towards failure. It can be seen as a learning tool and character builder. By focusing on effort and learning rather than perfection, we can overcome this barrier and innovate fearlessly.

2.Self-Doubt

“What am I doing int his class with these young people?”  This invisible weight can make us question our abilities. To lift this weight, we must build confidence through positive affirmations, setting achievable goals, and seeking constructive feedback. Celebrating small victories can boost our self-esteem and propel us forward.

There are other invisible forces that you may experience in a school setting or corporate setting.  How do you plan to handle them?  How did you defy gravity in 2024?  

Defying gravity in 2025 means recognizing the invisible forces that hold us back and taking deliberate steps to overcome them. Whether it’s self-doubt, fear of failure, negative influences, unconscious biases, or microaggressions, we have the power to rise above these challenges. I know how I felt when I walked across that stage to receive my degree. I truly felt like I defied the odds. Are you ready to soar?