Meant

She had never known what it meant to be so unreservedly determined: often drifting to the wayside and watching life sleep by. It didn’t necessarily mean life got better; it meant she had to work harder, be patient and stay focused. It meant she had to believe in her strengths and admit her weaknesses: allowing room for improvement without shame.

Where was the shame in trying to be better? She would have to answer that before moving forward.