You have to step into your fears in order to gain growth. We are human, and we are always putting limitations on what we do, it's part of our nature. Some of you out there need to practice stepping to what I like to call your "un-comfort zone." Look for the things that you fear and laugh at them. Tell yourself you are thankful for your mind and body bringing that fearful reaction to your attention so that you can do something about it.

You may be scared of starting a business because you find you are scared that you might fail. Okay, that's a rational fear. So start small. Cook a meal that you are likely to fail at and if you do, you will realize that failure isn't ever as bad as you imagine it will be. Get better at failing at the small things and you will find yourself growing through those fears in the big things. You feel me?

I know I have said this before, but do not accept what life gives you. Don't take that pain of the day at face value. Look beneath the surface at what it means to you and what you can do to overcome it. This is what it means to be more intentional with your life. If someone was throwing a punch at you, are you going to sit there and let it happen a second time? What if they were swinging at you everyday? How long before you start trying to learn how to dodge the fist? Better yet- how long until you start punching back? This world is too much for us to take full control but what you can do is engage in the process of life. Things that you don't deserve are going to come at you ready to do damage, so it's your responsibility to put in the work of engaging with your fears and with what the world throws at you. This way when the big issues come along you have already practiced your response tactics in the small ways.

You want to get to a place where you are leading life. If I asked you how you start your day every morning you might get a better sense of how intentional you are in your life. You want to get to a place where you are waking up on fire for the day. A lot of us, I'm guilty of this at times as well, when we first wake up we reach over for that phone and allow for that to set the tone of the day. If you are waking up with intention and passion, you need to prioritize your routine over everything else.

For me, when I wake up (and some days I lose this battle) I start with achievement. I start here because it puts dopamine in your life. For me that is key. Sometimes that achievement is folding the clothes, working out, or making my bed. It could be anything, but it gives me my accomplishment for the day. Then I make sure that I am setting the tone with appreciation. Sometimes that is through prayer, sometimes it is through being intentional with my family. Once I have these two things complete I can start my day with the tone I need. Find your peace and balance yourself at the start of your day and watch how small changes make a big difference in your life.

It all starts with you.