“If you don’t risk anything, you risk even more.”
– Erica Jong
Find Comfort in Discomfort
Growing up, I was taught to draw within the lines because it’s dangerous to step outside of my boundaries.
I must follow the rules society has written for me.
That way, I can live a comfortable and secure life.
The scripted way of being led to a deep sense...
“We have to dare to be ourselves, however frightening or strange that self may prove to be.”
― May Sarton
As I celebrated my 30th birthday in February, I reflected back on the valuable lessons I learned in my 20s.
Here are my biggest takeaways.
1. Be 100% Unapologetic
Being myself was difficult as I did everything I was supposed to according to society’s expectations.
To make...
“Do the work, every day, you have to do something you don’t want to do. Every day, challenge yourself to be uncomfortable, push past the apathy, laziness, and fear.”
― Tim S. Grover
Do the Necessary Work
Growing up, I never liked writing or reading. Reflecting back, the main reason for those negative feelings was because of my lack of interest in...
“We must do our work for its own sake, not for fortune or attention or applause.”
― Steven Pressfield
Learn to Do What Is Not Easy
Often times, I’m challenged with distractions.
Whether is doing mundane tasks such as cleaning my living space or wasting time on watching movies, these activities aren’t serving me because I’m using them as ways to keep...
“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
― Neale Donald Walsch
In February of 2016, I had my biggest breakthrough as I learned to challenge my assumptions and beliefs. It was also one of my most fun weeks to date.
Committed to personal development, I invested in a coaching program that targeted men in improving success at home and in...
“Fear is only as deep as the mind allows.”
– Japanese Proverb
Fear Is A Survival Mechanism
Fear is a vital response to physical and emotional danger.
I’m experiencing fear now as I write this article. And that fear is the fear of rejection - not being “good enough” for acceptance.
This fear is the cause of the fear of public speaking which is...
“Men do not attract what they want, but who they are.”
– James Allen
Choose Empowering Thoughts
Oblivious to the power of my thoughts, I was easily persuaded and influenced by society and those around me. This included information taught in school, my friends’ beliefs, and marketing messages seen on television.
Those ideas caused me to believe everything I was taught and...
“No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet, death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it, and that is how it should be, because death is very likely the single best invention of life. It's life's change agent. It clears...
“Feelings are just visitors. Let them come and go.”
― Mooji
Nothing Lasts Forever
The only constant in life is change.
No matter where I am, everything around me is continually altering.
When I go outside, the temperature is different from when I ran in the morning to the time I walked in the afternoon.
This type of change applies to everything in life.
Even...
“Consistent action creates consistent results.”
― Christine Kane
Define Your Success
Consistent action is my recipe for success.
Contrary to society's definition of success, my interpretation of it is not based on external things such as how much money is in my bank account, how big my house is, how fancy my car is, or how beautiful my woman is.
Rather, it is based...