Sometimes, a kind word can change the course of our lives. It can transform loss, failure, or regret into a second chance—bringing renewed energy to make our dreams a reality. With the right encouragement, the burdens we’ve carried for so long can dissolve instantly. Perhaps we realize that our dream wasn’t meant for then—it was meant for now, inspired by all the wisdom and strength we’ve gained.
Recently, a kind word gave me a new sense of purpose. I’m now determined to work full-time, write, take on a second job over the weekends, and pursue a Doctor of Business Administration in the evenings. While applying for jobs, I’ve come to appreciate the video-recorded or text-based responses requested by online portals. Three of the past jobs I secured were due to assignments given during the interview process. I’ve developed a system for video interviews, from the proper outfit and lighting to using Microsoft Teams backgrounds, adding background music in Premiere Pro, and using a teleprompter with dual monitors. Creating these videos improves our chances and prepares us for live interviews. Tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT help us polish our answers for text-based responses. Writing 1,000-plus words a week for The Voice Magazine has made writing more natural and effortless. I highly recommend writing for The Voice Magazine—even one article. It’s surprisingly relaxing, especially when we pour love into our messages.
Grant Cardone advises his daughter to attend every audition possible, even when she doesn’t qualify, if only for the invaluable experience. Inspired by that, I’m applying for every marketing leadership job, regardless of perceived qualifications, because the experience and insights are worth the effort. The climb is always worth it, even when we stumble. The key is getting back up.
We also need to consider applying for Métis status if we have Indigenous heritage, as it could open doors to funding for further education. My aunt mapped out my ancestry and encouraged me to claim Métis status, given our heritage. Growing up, I never questioned why my grandmother and other relatives looked 100% Indigenous; no one indicated that any of us were Aboriginal.
I needed to figure out when or how to enroll in a DBA program or apply for financial aid, so I took the plunge and applied online. I thought I’d figure out the rest as it occurs. (I once saw a female Asian martial artist who got accepted to the Olympics and said she didn’t know how she’d afford it but would figure it out as she went. I liked her attitude.) When the application page indicated that enrollment was closed, I emailed the admissions office and will plan to check back regularly to see when admissions reopen. We must always persist in the face of roadblocks.
My GPA from my Master’s program is just at the minimum required, although my undergraduate record is much stronger. Still, I’m hopeful. If I don’t get in this year, I can find out what can be done to strengthen the application for next year. After all, quitting is the surest way to fail. So, if success is the goal, we can’t give up—on our education, relationships, careers, or ourselves. The easy way out often leads to more suffering in the long run. So, if we don’t succeed initially, we must revise our approach and try again and again until we triumph.
Part of my inspiration to pursue a DBA came from encouraging words shared by our editor’s partner. Those words have played over and over in my mind, motivating me. This shows that an encouraging word can create a bright future for someone. And all of us have the power to speak those words, to help each other shine like superstars in whatever we set our minds to.
Today, I received a message from the admissions office: I’ve been approved to apply for the Doctor of Business Administration program! They’re interested in my quantitative skills. The admissions officer mentioned that the DBA program is highly competitive, so I asked her to share a list of documents needed for consideration so I could start preparing. She also provided a textbook recommendation and suggested researching the professors’ areas of specialization to align my thesis topics accordingly. I recommend always getting early access to the textbook—as soon as possible—and reading the books immediately. This gives us an edge.
I’ve already developed a compelling thesis idea related to my industry and identified a potential supervisor. If the stars align, I could start the DBA in January 2026. Yesterday, AstraGPT, my personal ChatGPT assistant, helped me refine my thesis topic, research question, theory, and methodology. I researched to see if the topic was taken, narrowing it down. If we’re pursuing a thesis, I highly recommend consulting with ChatGPT—it’s like having a dedicated supervisor at our fingertips.
So, if we have dreams that have died, remember that they’re always within us. They’re stepping stones meant to propel us toward our missions accomplished. Whatever we’ve been through, including loss and failure, is part of our journey; however, there’s always another chance to prove ourselves. Despite all this, the most significant proof of our success is not necessarily in our accomplishments but in the love we give, regardless of our achievements. One kind word can be more monumental than any material success imaginable.