“I think if we're optimistic about our ability not only to repeat our best performance, but surpass it, we will always overcome that challenge of improvement, that gap between where we are and where we want to be,” she explains. It's easy to get discouraged and feel like you can't accomplish your goals after a bad day, she says. However, if you always think back to the day when you did your best, and you constantly strive to attain that performance again, you will feel more motivated and positive about the results you can achieve.
In the speech, she relates this idea to a real-world example of when she was training for a big race and felt overwhelmed during a particular workout. It was then, however, that she discovered the benefits of cutting herself some slack sometimes, and powered through her workout despite not feeling at her best. The important lesson, she says, is to not become discouraged—and to stay dedicated to your goals even during tough times. In her highly requested speeches (many of which receive standing ovations) Camus teaches audiences not just how to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals, but how to surpass them and develop a zest for life that extends long after the challenge has been met.