Inspiration of Mike Ditka Mike Ditka, Well-Known

¶ … Inspiration of Mike Ditka

Mike Ditka, well-known American football player, coach, and commentator, has become an inspiration for me because of his versatility and ability to conquer unimaginable feats throughout his sports career. In him, I learned to value hard work and perseverance. These values are reflected in his remark about his life and career as a sportsman: "Success isn't permanent, and failure isn't fatal." Ditka's statement created meaning in me, especially since as a student, I have always encountered challenges that have either discouraged or encouraged me to pursue my studies and aspire to obtain a college degree after.

This quote has a two-fold meaning: the first part centers the individual's attention to the nature of success and failure in a person's life, and the second part deviates from the notion that failures are indeed 'fatal,' or detrimental to an individual's development. Ditka had indeed stated this quote very well; his statement that 'success is not permanent' serves as warning to people who have achieved so much in life. For me, this prompts an individual to work harder and always consider his/her success or failure in life as dynamic and ever-changing. This means that a person may experience success for some time, but this success has the possibility to turn into failure if an individual becomes too lenient and sure about his/her success, and does not do anything to prevent this shift from success to failure. Similarly, failure is not the end-all and be-all of an individual's life and further chances for development. Instead of viewing failure as detrimental and a mark of incompetence of an individual, it is imperative that the opposite of these perceptions be developed within. That is, to ensure success, happiness, and contentment in life, failures should be viewed constructively, as a means to work harder, persevere, and aspire for better, towards a better and successful end (achievement) in life.