Never Give Up on Your Professional Dreams: Inspiring Stories of Drew Maggi, Coco Gauff, and William Stanford Davis
Welcome to Professional Plus Newsletter, a newsletter for modern professionals looking for stories of inspiration and advice on achieving success.
In this issue, we will explore the importance of patience and perseverance in achieving your goals by sharing recent stories of professionals who have achieved great things through these qualities.
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Drew Maggi Makes an Emotional Debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Drew Maggi is a professional baseball player drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 15th round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft. After 13 long years in the minor leagues, Drew Maggi finally made his Major League debut on April 26, 2023.
In his first game, Maggi pinch-hit for Andrew McCutchen and struck out, but he was welcomed to the batter’s box by a standing ovation from the Pirates fans. He made his first major league start the following day at third base, and he collected his first major league hits, an RBI single and a double on April 29.
Although Maggi’s stay in the major leagues was short-lived, as the Pirates sent him back down to the minor leagues on May 5, his story should remind everyone that anything is possible if you work hard, never give up on your dreams, and are willing to put in the time and effort.
Young tennis phenom Coco Gauff recently admitted to suffering from imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is when an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.
Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old tennis phenom, recently spoke candidly about her struggles with imposter syndrome in an interview with WTA Insider’s Courtney Nguyen.
I feel like when I step on the court the confidence is high, but I think throughout my life, even as a junior going into tournaments, I would get a lot of anxiety about where I was playing-wise, and then when I stepped on the court, I definitely feel like I can win the match.
I think it’s just fighting those thoughts and understanding that I belong here. You know, imposter syndrome is a thing, so sometimes I get that, but it’s something that I’m working on to realize I’m here for a reason and my ranking is here for a reason and I definitely deserve that.
If you are struggling with imposter syndrome, know you are not alone. According to an article by Kess Eruteya from Harvard Business Review, about one-third of young people suffer from imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is a common challenge, but it can be overcome.
Tips for Dealing with Imposter Syndrome
- Acknowledge your feelings. Remember that you are not alone and that many successful people have experienced imposter syndrome at some point.
- Challenge your negative thoughts. Challenge your negative thoughts with evidence or replace them with positive ones.
- Focus on your accomplishments. Make a list of your accomplishments, big or small, to see your capability and deservingness of success.
- Seek support from others. Contact a trusted friend, family member, or therapist for support and encouragement.
Gauff’s honesty and determination to overcome her imposter syndrome are inspiring and can help others facing similar challenges.
Coco Gauff’s photo image is courtesy of Coco Gauff.
William Stanford Davis inspires us all, showing that achieving your dreams is never too late.
Abbott Elementary is a critically acclaimed TV sitcom, and Mr. Johnson, the janitor on the show, is a beloved character!
Jenelle Riley of Variety recently conducted an inspirational interview with William Stanford Davis, who plays Mr. Johnson. In the interview, Davis revealed:
- He moved to Los Angeles at 33 to pursue a career in acting.
- He made his first TV appearance when he was in his 40s. Ironically, that role was as a custodian on The Bold and Beautiful soap opera.
- He interviewed for Abbott Elementary over Zoom during the pandemic.
- He got his first regular series (Abbott Elementary) when he was 71.
Davis’ story is a reminder that there is always time to achieve your dreams. If you have a passion for something, do not give up on it. Keep working hard, and eventually, your hard work will pay off.
