Every Friday, I go to yoga at the campus Recreation Center and, every Saturday, I spend the entire day regretting it. My muscles ache, my shoulders are numb and every move makes me wince and yelp.
But I still go every week, roll out my mat and aim for a deeper stretch and longer lunge. Why? Because every sore Saturday means I've gotten stronger and more fit.
The same mentality should be applied to any internship or job. During the summer, I was a reporter for The Commercial Appeal, and, naturally, there were days I wanted to hide in the bathroom and never come out, because I was terrified of making a mistake.
The day came when I did make a mistake - a misspelled name, one of the cardinal sins of journalism. My stomach sank to the soles of my shoes, and I was ready to pack my bags.
Thankfully, my editor was forgiving and other, more seasoned reporters were giving me advice instead of lectures. I learned from the experience - I was a better writer for it.
The same way yoga pushes me to my limit physically, my internship pushed me to my limits mentally. Sure, I was upset for a spell, but I pushed past the panic and improved my skills in the process.
Make the most of your internship by volunteering to do something you've never done before. Get uncomfortable in your position, because you aren't learning if everything comes easy to you. You may make mistakes, but no one can do a solid Downward-Facing Dog position without falling a few times.
If you're not sore after a session of yoga, your muscles aren't learning anything. If you walk away from your internship with only good memories, your skills haven't been put to the test, and you didn't learn anything.
