Why Are You Still Trying?

Why Are You Still Trying?

I was on the phone with an old friend of mine. I started telling her about some of the steps that I’m taking to be super prepared for the Dental Admission Test.

One of the six sections is Quantitative Reasoning (aka Math), and it covers a very broad spectrum of math topics. I went to the library the other day and picked up text books on Algebra, Geometry, Statistics, Trigonometry, Precalculus, and will also be getting a calculus book.

These are all subjects I’ve taken before, some over 10 years ago. I could have just gone through study manuals, and picked up on certain weak points, but I wanted to rebuild my mathematical knowledge base from the bottom up.

When I told her this, she asked me, “why are you still trying?” Why am I still trying to get into Dental School is what she meant, instead of just getting a “real job” right now. “After all,” she said, “you tried to get in, and you failed.”

It’s true. I’ve applied to Dental School already and I was rejected. This latest time that I applied has landed me on the waiting list, but I don’t know if or when I’ll get accepted or rejected. All I know is that there are 6,000 people applying for 200 spots.

The question remains, why am I still trying? After all, I’m sure I could find an entry level job paying at least 40k, and depending on the field I can probably move up from that. Alternatively, I can work on expanding our family business. I could live a good life, save some money for retirement, and then eventually die. That seems to be the natural progression of things, and a very tempting option…or not.

Dentistry is something I’m very passionate about. I’ve been assisting since I was 15, and have tempted in over 60 dental offices around New Jersey. I know what Dentistry looks, smells, and feels like, and I like it.

When I told Marina about the question, “why are you still trying” she said, “How can you live if you stop trying? That’s the formula for regret.” Yes, it’s true, my girlfriend is a genius.

I think going for a “real” J.O.B. right now would be an easier option then what I’m doing now, which is rising up to the challenge and chasing my dream. I calculated that I’ll have to read about 30 text books worth of material by the time I take the test mid-August.

I try not to think about that, because the sheer amount of information makes me dizzy! It’s silly to think in those terms, since at one point all that information was in my head, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to get it back in there!

I don’t think that being rejected from dental school, again, would cause me to live a life of regret. After all, I believe that it’s more important for me to live my life as the person I want to be, and not be defined solely by my occupation.

I think it’s good that there are so many walls to becoming a dentist. Especially since I know the a little secret… shhh… the walls are there to keep the other people out. Yes, that holds true for you and your walls… if you do whatever it takes to scale them, they’re not there for you, they’re there for the other people.

Remember, the best answer to “why are you still trying” is “because I’m still alive, and because I can.” you’ll always have time to stop trying when you’re dead. What have been some of your biggest failures to date?

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Posted by in Personal Development | March 25, 2009 | Digg | Del.icio.us | Stumble | Print | 17 comments

  • http://fitdimension.blogspot.com/ Clayton

    Chase your dreams mate.

    Don’t ever let anyone tell you what you want isn’t possible, even your spouse. If it was, we wouldn’t have Richard Branson, Donald Trump, Bill Gates and anyone else you care to add to that list running around creating billionaire fortunes and changing the world.

    All the best for the exam.

  • http://http://www.travelinlocal.com LisaNewton

    I firmly believe that the only failure is in giving up. Oh, you may revamp your dreams, looking at them from a different angle, but giving up on them is true failure.

  • Julia S.

    It is very bizarre to hear almost verbatim what I would hear about studying art!! Especially for something as necessary as dentistry!

    You keep trying because you love it – that is the best reason!

    Remember – a train going 50 miles per hour and a train going 20 miles per hour STILL GETS THERE – and you will too. Keep it up!

  • http://shanelyang.com/blogs/articles/ Shanel Yang

    Everything we “try” is a valuable lesson, so it’s actually “doing” something that helps us get to where we eventually need to go. One of my sisters had a dream to be a doctor. She struggled with the infamous college premed weeder course, biochemistry — and ended up taking it 3 times! Each time, she got a slightly better grade. But, what she really got out of it (though you may not want to hear this) is that she didn’t really want to be a doctor after all if med school was more of the same. That forced her to realize that what she loved most about the idea of becoming a doctor was not the prestige of being an M.D., but the idea of helping people in pain. So, she became an R.N., instead. ; )

  • http://www.alexshalman.com Alex Shalman

    @Clayton A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. ;)

    @LisaNewton Yes, I totally agree. As long as there is a clear line between revamp your dreams and dilute yourself!

    @Julia S. Art is necessary! Did you just call me a slow train? lol.

    Shanel Yang – You mean she wasn’t in love with Biochemistry… shocking.. ;)

  • http://twitter.com/sarahmerion Sarah Merion

    I forget who said this, but it went something along the lines of:

    “The only thing worse than failing is doing nothing.”

    Great article Alex, really motivates me to keep doing what I’m doing, even if it may be hard, out of the box, unconventional, scary, etc.

  • http://www.alexshalman.com Alex Shalman

    @Sarah Merion – Seth Godin quote “The only thing worse than starting something and failing… is not starting something.”

    BTW guys, I love reading all your responses. Since I’m studying so much, I feel like somewhat of a hermit, and my interaction with people is limited. So your responses make up a nice little chunk of that overall input I get from people each day. Nice that you’re all so supportive – love ya!

  • http://www.homesprosperity.blogspot.com Steve

    In the words of the venerable Zig Ziglar, “A big shot is a little shot who keeps on shootin’ ” I am very inspired by watching you chase down your dentistry dream. I will be one of the one’s celebrating when you pass! Then you can come to Chicago, open your clinic, and work on my teeth!

  • http://takeonlifenow.com/blog/ Mark Lewis

    I started to learn that “failures” are just lessons and experiences.

  • http://www.insightwriter.com/2009/03/28/glorious-snowfall/ Glorious Snowfall | Insight Writer

    [...] Why Are You Still Trying? Alex Shalman talks about his experience of attempting to get into Dental School and failing. Yet, he isn’t giving up. This is an inspiring story that may help us to hold onto our dreams. [...]

  • http://www.questforbalance.com Lisis

    Hi, Alex! What a neat story! I am so inspired that you have not given up and that you have found something you are really passionate about trying. Even if it turned out that it was not all you dreamed of (like Shanel’s story), it is still a worthy pursuit right now because you want it right now. Once you have achieved your goal, you can set new ones, or redefine that one; but, by golly Don’t Give Up!!

    PS: I don’t think you’re a slow train at all. ;-)

  • http://www.thebigdreamer.com Mark Foo | TheBigDreamer.com

    Hi Alex,

    I love the saying “How can you live if you stop trying? That’s the formula for regret.” It’s absolutely brilliant! Your girlfriend is indeed a genius. :)

    Cheers~

    Mark

  • http://www.getyoursuccessnow.com Rigdha

    Thanks for sharing the story Alex and good luck! I hope you will get in.

    This comes at a perfect time when I’m going through tons of “failures” in my own life but I’ve learned not to give up even if I get completely beat down in the battle. Sometimes all you need to do is hang in there just a little longer!

  • http://www.alexshalman.com/2009/04/12/how-to-study-with-focus-confidence-and-purpose/ How to Study with Focus, Confidence and Purpose | Alex Shalman . com

    [...] my previous article, Why Are You Still Trying, I mentioned that I failed to get into Dental School a couple of times since graduating University [...]

  • http://stayhealthyforever.info/weightloss/how-to-study-with-focus-confidence-and-purpose How to Study with Focus, Confidence and Purpose | Health, Wellness & a Good Life

    [...] to Study with Focus, Confidence and Purpose In my previous article, Why Are You Still Trying, I mentioned that I failed to get into Dental School a couple of times since graduating University [...]

  • http://www.treattheface.com Aalok Shukla

    Hi Alex, Keep trying, it’s a great profession to be in with unlimited potential, especially for a motivated individual that thinks out of the box like yourself. I have similar goals in innovation in dentistry and am working on those.

    Looking forward to seeing you at the conferences.

    Best,

    Aalok

  • max

    Good luck man I’m also studying for the dat but this is my first time around. I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do with my life and career and after some research and gong over my undergrad transcript dentistry is the best option for me. I love helping people and making sure they are healthy. Best of wishes