The majority of these articles begin by detailing an unsuccessful effort at a goal, followed by an explanation of the methods the writer took to master the difficulty. You may stand out by focusing on a mental or emotional problem that spans numerous activities or events, or by picking a struggle you're currently working on conquering. You can also create contrast between what you're now and what you were once by using comparisons. For example, if you wanted to write about how you've overcome adversity by choosing not to rely on others, you could say something like this: "I used to depend on my friends for help when I needed it, but now I believe in myself enough to know that I can handle most situations that come my way." Or, if you want to focus on the fact that you're still young even though you seem like an old hand at solving problems, you could say something like this: "I used to be afraid of heights until I realized that if I didn't get over it, I'd never enjoy scuba diving or mountain climbing. So, I worked up the courage to climb Mount Washington, which is 3 miles high." Finally, you can describe how you overcame an obstacle by thinking outside the box.