On Waiting to Win

Back in my school years I used to travel to programming conferences — really, competitions. First city-level, then regional, and then came my first national one. To me it was Olympus. I prepared for it with a maniacal seriousness. And the night before the trip, a classmate of mine says, with a smirk: “Dima, you do realize the best of the best will be there. You don’t stand a chance.”

That line lodged itself in my memory.

At the conference we presented our projects to the jury without seeing each other’s work. Then comes the moment when the results are read out. We’re sitting in the hall, the organizer calls the winners’ names. First the honorable mentions — not me. Third place — not me. Second — again not me. My heart is pounding, my palms are sweating, and it really does feel like my chances are at zero. And then — first place, and it’s my name! It was an explosion of emotion I remember to this day.

In adult life it’s all more complicated: the wait for the reward can stretch not for minutes, like back then, but for months and even years. Sometimes you work like a dog, and the people around you seem to be gathering the quick fruits of success just to spite you — a career, money, recognition. And of course a sense of unfairness starts gnawing at you inside: “Why did they get what they wanted, and I still haven’t?” But that is precisely the moment not to break.

I’ve noticed it many times: just when you’re on the edge of despair, sure it was all for nothing — suddenly, bang! — the breakthrough comes. And one so big that it more than makes up for everything life seemed to be shortchanging us on.

It’s like in sports: the champions are awarded last. They wait the longest of all, but their moment on the podium carries the most weight.

Here’s to keeping our focus, doing the work, and… waiting! Your name will be called yet! 😎