A volunteered essay.

Write about a time when self-doubt nearly prevented you from sweet success.

"Can I really do it?" I questioned myself as I advanced towards the centre of the stage. A sweet melody filled the hall. Holding up a microphone in my left hand, I took a deep breath before singing the music. The cheers of my peers became more frantic and I tensed at the sudden change of atmosphere. Unable to handle it, my voice cracked at the highest note. A pregnant pause followed. Then, laughter erupted from the crowd.

Face flushed with humiliation, I ran off the stage, leaving behind a trail of tears. I reached a secluded corner of the school before slumping down to weep sorrowfully. Slowly yet painfully, my mind drifted off to the time when everything started....

I was strolling down the hallway with my friends when one of them challenged me into participating in a singing competition.

"Aleskei, I have a dare for you- join this audition!" he exclaimed as he showed me a flyer with the relevant details. "Or are you a scaredy cat?" he taunted.

Never one who backed down from a challenge, I took it up. I was basking with pride when I saw the stunned look on his face. It was until later when the dreadful reality set in: I had never sung before.

It was the first day of the contest. The music room was filled with a throng of excited people. Voices of each individual reached my ears and I shuddered at the thought of having them as competitors.

"Contestant 21!" came a shout from the judges.

I jolted up from anticipation and proceeded to an auditorium. Thinking that I would undoubtely fail and get eliminated, I relaxed myself and sang to the best of my ability.

"Are you done now? asked an old lady in her sixties. I nodded and smiled ruefully at them. The ordeal would soon be over.

The judges began to communicate among themselves. Soon, a decision was made.

"You're in."

I froze, not willing to accept the fact.

"Sorry?"

"You have advanced to the finals. Congratulations."

Looking down at my feet, I dragged myself out of the place.

A few days later the results were released and everyone gave me their words of encouragement. Lady pressure began to make her presence known in my hand and I could not let everyone down. I decided to hone my singing skills.

It was the day of the final round, that was when I sang and my voice cracked.

A tap on my shoulder brought me back to my senses. I looked up, only to find faces of guilt. They were my friends'. The ba gan to apologize profusely and told me that I should not give up the audition.

I denied at first, but all of them kept insisting that I should go. After some time, I relented to their request.

I went up to the stage again, still in self doubt, lips quivering. I tried to sing the song, but I felt that I still could not do it. Out of the blue, words of encouragement were shouted out by my friends.

"We believe that you can do it!"

"Have faith in yourself"

"You have a great voice!"

"You're the winner!"

With renewed excitement and confidence, I sang the song with the notes in place. I walked down the stage and went to the dressing room to wait for the results.

"The winner of this singing competition is.......Aleskei Mustang!"

I jumped at the sound of my name, happy that I had won.

I had learnt from this experience that one should never be in self-doubt, for it could mean the lost of one's sweet success. As long as one had worked towards it, confidence is the way to go.