Embracing the Win (Even When Doubt Creeps In)

Once upon a time, I was convinced I had completely bombed an audition. 

I imagined the judges laughing behind my back, whispering about how they should burn the very floor I stood on so my feeble attempts at acting would not taint the stage for someone truly talented. 

Then, to my surprise, I got the acceptance letter. Not only that, but I was cast in a major role, which I hadn’t even imagined I was in the running for. 

I was elated. Thrilled. Honored. 

And then my brain kicked in. 

Had they sent the email to me by mistake? 

Did they offer the role to eight other people, only for them all to tragically drive off a cliff in a fiery explosion? 

Was this some elaborate prank where the first rehearsal would reveal everyone laughing at me? 

Or maybe they cast me out of fear that the actual talented people would quit if I wasn’t included. 

That spiral of self-doubt felt endless. But then I had a realization: None of those “what ifs” actually mattered. I got the role. That was a win. 

Instead of questioning why, I decided to focus on celebrating the victory. I worked hard to earn that role, and now I’d work even harder to prove I deserved it. 

There are countless paths to success. Sometimes it’s about skill, sometimes it’s timing, and sometimes it’s just dumb luck. But if we give our best effort with integrity, the why doesn’t matter. 

Too often, we downplay our victories when we should simply be grateful and proud. So, here’s my reminder to myself and to anyone else who needs to hear it: When you win, celebrate it. Own it. You deserve it.