"Greaux through Leadership"by Zachary Mayfield, State Sentinel

August Blog

The lights are dimmed. The Chicago Bulls theme song starts. You’re sitting in the crowd impatiently awaiting nominating committee’s report. Minutes later the report is finished and confetti is covering the individuals on stage. In these moments, thoughts are running across your mind, and you are thinking to yourself, “I want to be up there one day. What do I have to do to be up there?" You have now become so motivated to run for office but then you think to yourself, "But what if I lose? I’ll make a fool of myself. I’ll be left in that circle and everyone will think I am a failure.” I started off just like you worrying about what others would think, better yet what I would think if I failed. Then I ran for area office for the first time, with my confidence through the roof, only to feel disappointed as my name was not among the eight called. My mind was racked with thoughts, questioning my confidence and worth. I was sitting in the back seat of my advisor's vehicle heading home with my headphones plugged in thinking I am not good enough, thinking to myself that I should just give up. I let those thoughts get in the way of thinking what I can actually reap from serving as a leader in the FFA. 

That is the first mistake we make. We allow what others think of us to discourage us from doing something we have always dreamed of doing. And by doing this, we will never know what it's like being an officer in the FFA. Time passed and I got over the tough loss. I worked tirelessly throughout that year and it came time to turn in my area officer application again. I doubted myself, but I ran anyway. I went through the process and it was time for the report. “For the office of Junior Vice President…… Zachary Mayfield of the Creekside FFA Chapter!” I could not believe it. I finally had done the unthinkable. All of those thoughts running through my mind were now gone and things of the past. Moments like these are something we will never forget - that feeling that you actually did it. But how would you know what these moments feel like if you do not take those chances, in this case, running for office? If you take the opportunity to run for office, bountiful growth is prone to happen. If you believe you can, you’re halfway there. Do not let anyone keep you from running for a leadership position in the FFA or achieving your goals. You never know what lies ahead if you simply take those risks. Your potential teammates might become your closest friends, or you might find your future career through these positions. I challenge you to take that chance, even if you’re just thinking about it. Take a chance because this organization can lead you to some pretty amazing places like it's led me. I hope that if you are a member, you seriously consider running for office. It will be one of the greatest experiences of your life, I guarantee it. 

Stay high quality,

Zach