Rocky is coaching Creed and shares a valuable lesson on achieving his goals: consistency. He does this through his chant, "one step at a time; one punch at a time; one round at a time." This means that, if Creed keeps showing up to practice and puts in a consistent effort, he will become a great boxer.

Dr. Larabee encourages Akeelah to think of what she wants for herself out of life then directs her to a quote from Marianne Williamson. Akeelah realizes that she is not suppose to be afraid of herself.

North Shore High School competes with Marymount Prep in the Mathletes State Championship. During the sudden death round, Cady is put up against Miss Caroline Krafft, who does not have a good sense of fashion. Cady realizes that making fun of Miss Krafft will not give her a better chance at winning or make her a better person; rather, she should focus on herself and rely on her own skills to win.

Akeelah enters to the National Spelling Bee, and a voiceover recites a quote that instills self-confidence and motivation ahead of the competition.

Mr. Simonet gives his students a year-long assignment: "Think of an idea to change our world - and put it into ACTION!" He creates this assignment to prove to his students that, despite their age and current situation, they can indeed change the world. Mr. Simonet inspires his students by suggesting that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.