Practice makes perfect.

That was one of my mom’s go-to sayings growing up, especially during our piano lesson years. My sister and I both took piano, and let me tell you, those lessons came with a strict practice schedule. We weren’t just playing—oh no, we had to log a certain amount of practice time before our next lesson, and my mom made sure we hit those numbers. I remember so clearly sitting at the piano bench, hearing my friends laughing and playing outside, and thinking Why me? But there was no getting around it—no practicing, no playing.

Looking back now, those afternoons taught me way more than just scales and arpeggios. They taught me discipline. It was my first real taste of sticking with something even when it wasn’t fun or easy. The recitals were nerve-wracking, but they felt so good afterward because I knew I’d put the work in. I didn’t just show up and hope for the best—I practiced. And that was all thanks to my mom’s persistence.

That phrase—practice makes perfect—stuck with me. As a kid, I thought it was just about piano. But now I see it everywhere: in school, in jobs, in relationships, even in learning how to take care of myself. Nothing just magically happens. You’ve got to show up and keep showing up. My mom didn’t just teach me how to play an instrument; she taught me that people who succeed usually worked hard when no one was watching. And honestly, that mindset has shaped the way I go after everything in life.