When Have You Ever Succeeded When You Thought You Might Fail?

This is a post from The New York Times.

Serena Williams won the United States Open women’s singles title, after fending off a match point — not to mention 11 months of injuries and health concerns that plagued her during the last two years. Have you ever come from behind and surprised yourself with greatness, whether on the field, in school or in some other aspect of your life? When have you ever managed to perform better than you imagined?

In the article “Surprising Even Herself, Williams Rallies to Title,” Christopher Clarey writes:

In May, Williams made personal history of a more painful sort when she lost in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament in singles for the first time, losing her nerve and her rhythm against Virginie Razzano of France on clay at the French Open.

“I have never been so miserable after a loss,” said Williams, who responded by training in Paris under a new coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.

She added: “Sometimes they say it’s good to lose. I still would have preferred to win, but, you know, that was forever ago.”

So it must seem. Since Paris, Williams, 30, has won the singles and women’s doubles at Wimbledon, won the singles and doubles gold medals at the Summer Olympics and now changed her luck at the United States Open….

Tell about a time when you surprised yourself to achieve something notable, especially if you first thought you might fail. Did it happen on the field, in school or somewhere else? How were you able to achieve what you did? How did your accomplishment affect you?