I've said it many times before, but you've only got one life to live.
Don't play with your life! No one is going to live your life for you, so take your life seriously. Let me ask you something: Are you perfectly content with your life? Have you achieved your vision? Could you die happy?
Most people can't answer "yes" to any one of those questions, because success is less a destination than it is a journey. Living a beautiful existence that will give you self-satisfaction isn't easy—it takes continuous work.
What is stopping you from making this next year your best year ever?
It's time to get serious about your life. It's time to realize that your dreams are completely achievable, but no one is going to give you success for free. Self-satisfaction is something you have to take for yourself. If you want to make this year the best year you've ever experienced so far, keep reading.
There are five things you need to do. The following five things aren't easy, but if you want to change your life for the better, they are essential.
The first thing you need to do is stay committed. Stay committed to your vision, even when things aren't going your way. When there's adversity, struggle until you push through. When people aren't supporting you, keep going!
Number two is discipline. Get better at saying "no" to things that won't help you move forward. If you want to make a career out of being a professional athlete, you can't spend your evenings drinking. If you want more out of life than your 9-5, you will have to work for yourself through the weekends.
Number three is consistency. Anchor your actions in passion, and produce nothing less than your absolute best. Consistency beats talent any day of the week. Become the most reliable person you know, and do what you say you will!
Number four is faith. Remember that the odds are beatable even when the odds seem impossible. There are incredible opportunities in your future that you cannot predict. You will have best friends in five years who are strangers to you now. Have faith, and push forward even when the going gets tough. God has a plan for you, and God made you for a purpose. Stay true to your purpose, and every loss you've taken will be worth it.
Number five is heart. The way is not easy, and there will be moments where you can hardly find the strength to go on. When everything and everyone tells you that you've got nothing left, adopt a marathon mindset. When you feel like you can't go another step forward, you've got to run another mile.
If you're reading this, you've experienced pain. You've experienced so much loss that your life has felt like it was ending. Let me tell you something: If you can reach into yourself find commitment, discipline, consistency, faith, and heart; your life is only beginning.
It all starts with you.
