Pound the Stone Essay PDF

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Essay about the book Pound the Stone...

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KIN 201 Kristine Love Pound the Stone Pound the Stone, by Joshua Medcalf, is an inspiring story about a young boy, named Jason who learns how to maneuver through the obstacles of life. Through the novel, various characters named Russ, Trey, and Kaia help Jason through his difficult experiences by giving them life lessons he can use in his own personal experiences. The idea of “pound the stone” and achieving grit can be utilized in my everyday life to inspire me to work toward success while attending Sonoma State University and in my future career. “Pound the Stone” comes from the professional basketball athlete known as Tim Duncan. In chapter 4, this well-known athlete explains that pound the stone incorporates doing what means to be great, yet many people give up when it comes time to work hard. Duncan explains that the rarest, most valuable asset on the planet is one who can pound the stone day in and day out until the stone cracks in two. My father used to tell me as a child that you only get what you put into something. This can be applied to Jason selling books for his summer job. No matter how hard he wanted to take a break and feel sorry for himself he knew he had to sell books during the summer to get back on the school basketball team. It is really easy to give up when people consistently tell you no or that you cannot do something. My sophomore year, the advisors in the Kinesiology department told me that it would be very difficult for me to get accepted into the Kinesiology major. Like Jason when various doors slammed in his face saying no to books, I was discouraged. I wanted to give up, yet something inside of me told me that I could not give up. I changed my attitude and realized it was okay to not graduate in four years

and that I had to work a little harder than some of my friends. Currently, I am a senior student who only has six classes left in the major to graduate but I am still undeclared. I have worked diligently in all of my classes, and waited patiently for permission codes to take classes once they are open. The idea of pound the stone really made and impact to me because you only achieve something if you really work for it. No one can force you to be great, but if you work hard with determination you can achieve anything despite what others may tell you. The idea of “cut the rope” comes from false beliefs that we accumulate from our childhood. In Chapter 8, when Russ told Jason that his neighbor Andrew was a wealthy stockbroker, Jason automatically compared himself to Andrew saying that people like me do not get a job like him. Russel’s story then explained that elephants grow up with a rope tied to their leg which makes them believe that they can never break free. This is similar to humans in the way that we develop ideas and beliefs about ourselves as a child that hold us back from success. As individuals we have power to do anything, yet we are unaware of the potential that we hold if we look back at ourselves and ask as Russ said “What are the beliefs that may have been once true, but are no longer true that are holding me back from reaching my full potential”. Some people are able to reach success easier, while others have to put more work to pound the stone. This can apply to my daily life because I tend to shut down and keep to myself. I need to start saying “who says?” when someone tells me that I cannot achieve something. In life sometimes it is hard to not believe someone else’s opinion of you. False beliefs constantly are around us but who says you cannot achieve something if you work hard. Being successful involves doing the little things to improve yourself as person and to give a positive presentation of yourself to others. The most important thing that we can do involves

our heart posture. The emotions you give off to others, the way you speak and the clothing that you wear, allow others to make assumptions about you. The most resonating idea from chapter sixteen was, “the world will only take you as seriously as yourself”. Other’s perceive you the way that you hold yourself and self-confidence is key. Jason used this theory that Jan explained to him by changing his attitude about selling books. He decided to begin by reading the books that he was selling so that he could feel a connection to his product. Matter of fact he actually enjoyed reading for one of the first times. Jason also changes by borrowing nice clothing from Russ to make himself look more put together to his customers. This idea can be used in my everyday life by putting the small efforts everyday to work harder. After a long day of classes and going to work, I usually am exhausted. Studying and doing homework assignments little by little makes you more prepared for success in a class rather than waiting till the last minute. Over the years, I have learned that the more confident I am, the better I do in class or my work which results in my personal happiness. It is the little things that do not take a lot of time that make the most impact in our lives. The novel Pound the Stone, explains that everything you do in your life can be achieved if you attain grit and determination. Many people in your life will form opinions about your success and often tell you that something is impossible, yet it is the little things that we do on a daily basis that create good character and success in your own way. Success is not defined by acquiring more money than then next person. It is exemplified by those who pound the stone every day and never give up despite what others tell you. References Referred to the Audiobook narrated by Joshua Medcalf...