CELEBRATE THE C: TURNING ACADEMIC CHALLENGES INTO REAL WORLD SUCCESS

By Travis Wackerly

For twelve years we determine one's academic success by a letter grade, reflecting how proficient one is at any given subject. We often hear if you don't get good grades, you won't get a good job, or you won't get into a good college. This book will reveal how the real world rewards the strengths and perseverance of the academically challenged. Celebrate the C shows you how to make those challenges work for you, not against you, as an important secret weapon that will propel you forward in life, career, and relationships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Apr 20, 2021
• ISBN: 9781098362836

Book preview

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Copyright © 2021 by Travis A. Wackerly

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof

may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever

without the express written permission of the publisher

except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Printed in the United States of America

First Printing, 2021

ISBN PRINT 978-1-09836-282-9 | ISBN eBOOK 978-1-09836-283-6

Throughout this easy to read and practical book, the author’s down to earth approach comes through. His insight comes from a truly lived experience and he provides a thoughtful guide to help people change their lives for the better. -

Vincent Deberry

, Executive Director, The University of Oklahoma Center for Public Management

"Celebrate the C is a key that unlocks the door to our true destiny, a permission slip to pursue our dreams, and a handbook overflowing with practical guidance we can apply today, regardless of where we started from or where we’re at right now. With candid, relevant, personal examples, Travis brings clarity to the mystery of succeeding, inspiration to the exasperated, and hope. The only question you’ll need to answer is, What do you really want? -

Pamela Greening

, CEO/President Growing Oaks Federal Credit Union

"When education becomes more about grades than learning, the fire of curiosity and creativity, which burns tirelessly within the human spirit, will begin to fizzle and ultimately fade. After reading this project, be prepared to turn your imperfections into secret weapons, your rocky areas into stepping stones, and your mistakes into momentum. Because Celebrate the C aims to keep that fire burning hot in the heart of those who dig deep and fight to reimagine and repurpose the process of self-discovery."

-

Derrick Sier

, Founder/CEO, OMOS Team Building, Author of Small Stories. Big Team and My Life of Lists

This book will have a positive impact on your life and in the lives of those in your circles! Travis weaves threads of his heart-warming personal story of overcoming adversity with a tapestry of personal growth and positive actions to create a manual of success for any leadership level. I have already used some of the techniques to make my job more fulfilling for both myself and my team. Travis is the real deal and I just love his story. I know you will too! -

Doug Hacking

, PharmD MBA, CEO Relationship Resonance, Creator and Organizer of the Annual Ripple Effect OKC Conference

Table of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

THE EDUCATION WOUND

Chapter 2

TURNING A PREDETERMINED SEAT INTO THE DRIVER’S SEAT

Chapter 3

TURNING ADVERSITY INTO VICTORIES

Chapter 4

TURNING LESS STUDIED SUBJECTS INTO SECRET WEAPONS

Chapter 5

TURNING QUESTIONS AND CURIOSITY INTO UNEARTHING OPPORTUNITIES

Chapter 6

TURNING MISTAKES INTO STEPPING STONES

Chapter 7

TURNING ONE INTO TWO TO GO FURTHER

Chapter 8

TURNING BLAME INTO GAIN

Chapter 9

TURNING TOUGH CONVERSATIONS INTO FUTURE OPPORTUNITY

Chapter 10

TURNING MASS FOLLOWER STUBBORNNESS INTO LESS TRAVELED PATHS

Chapter 11

TURNING LACK OF PERFECTIONISM INTO MOMENTUM

Chapter 12

TURNING BAD ETHICS INTO A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Chapter 13

TURNING WORDLY PURPOSE INTO FAITH PURPOSE

Epilogue

Introduction

If you can read, write, and do basic math, then you have a teacher to thank for that. If you had a straight-A friend to tutor you or help you through some homework, then you have an academic achiever to thank for that. This book is not about devaluing the academic classroom teacher. It is certainly not about discouraging making good grades, belittling, or comparing yourself to those who do. This book is about digging deeper into the strengths and opportunities of the academically challenged, individuals I would consider your C and D students and people with learning disabilities. I am one of those people. If I would have known back in my school years what I teach in this book, I’m certain I would have walked through these challenges with more confidence and a stronger hope for a brighter future.

This book is not just meant for those currently going through academic challenges. It’s meant for those who want more success, no matter where you are in life. It’s meant both for the current student and the person who graduated years ago. The main focus of the book is to highlight the strengths of those who struggled through academics their whole lives, and how embracing those strengths can lead to real world success.

For twelve full years we determine one’s academic success by a letter grade reflecting how proficient one is at any given subject. We often hear if you don’t get good grades you won’t get a good job, or you won’t get into a good college. Some of us might get into trouble at home for bringing in lower than a B on a report card, or in rarer instances, anything lower than an A. But, for the academically challenged, we fight through those twelve years of school only to consistently fail in living up to the standards that are set before us. It can affect our self-image and what we think we are worth. It can put a damper on dreaming big, and instead, influence us to think small, because we’re so used to achieving sub-standard results anyway. Sadly, sometimes we choose to not dream at all. My favorite stories are from academically challenged people who dream big, despite their learning disadvantages. The ones who go out into the world and make a big impact. The ones who become entrepreneurs, great leaders, and financially fit enough to live wonderful lives. That is the path we are going to study, chapter by chapter.

The real world rewards the strengths and perseverance of the academically challenged, but we first have to recognize these strengths. How one responds to the struggles they suffered through for twelve years will have more of an impact on their success than their letter grade ever will. It’s about focusing on what makes us valuable: our attitudes, our passions, our grit and grind, and how we respond when things get tough.

The C in Celebrate the C refers to the letter grade. The grade that would almost suggest that you didn’t do your best, when in fact you did, or tried to do your best at one time before giving up. There are wonderful things you can learn from evaluating your struggles, disappointments, and mindset you might have developed by being academically challenged. These wonderful things, when done right, result in major success throughout life.

At the end of each chapter you will find some coaching questions to ask yourself. They are meant to challenge and support you as you move forward in your journey to success. After each coaching question you answer, stop and ask yourself, What else? or What’s another answer for this? There’s always more than just giving the first answer that comes to mind. The answers that come after the first thing that comes to mind are the answers the coaching questions are meant to discover. Take your time, because when you ask What else? at the end of each question, that’s when you stimulate your brain much more than just giving the first answer that comes to mind. Your journey to overcome the roadblocks to success begins right now.

Chapter 1

THE EDUCATION WOUND

I forgot I wasn’t very smart.

A few months ago, my brother had to store a few things at my house as he went on a month long hiking excursion. One of the things he stored at my house was a box full of my dad’s old army medals. My brother told me to feel free to rummage through the box if I’d like, so I did. As I was looking through everything, I found my first-grade yearbook. Having not seen it in years, I decided to find my picture. This brought me back to the reality of how my mind worked while I was in the school system, and how it influenced me throughout my adult life.

As I turned the yearbook pages, I found my grade level. Expecting to see my face, it wasn’t there. I had never been absent on picture day, so I was confused. I saw my