Most of us made a list of the things & goals we wanted to achieve in 2024. With February already coming to an end, some of us are already struggling to check things of that list. I personally feel like this new year is like a goodbye to my old self, the mistakes I made, and the battles I lost in 2023.
This is something I tell myself everyday when I wake up. 99% of the people are willing to party each weekend instead of bettering themselves at something. 99% of people are willing do their job, and only what they’re asked to do, instead of going above and beyond to do more. 99% of people I know would rather give up on things than be uncomfortable doing them it — like making a blog to share their passion for a topic but being too ashamed that their friends or family find out about it.
Don’t get me wrong, I was in the same position a few months ago, but I was able to get over it and go for it this year.
In 2023, my life was basically:
- Waking up like a robot
- Doing the same work knowing there is so little impact
- Going to sleep late
- Not getting enough time to meet friends/family
I had had enough of that in the past years, but I chose now to bet on myself and build enough courage to start my blog.
Every time I woke up I felt down and unmotivated, but I was in a comfort zone. My 9-5 job allowed me to pay for my bills and do some of the things I enjoyed. But is it enough? This question has haunted me for a long time, but I did nothing to change it because I was in a comfort zone. Most of the time, the things making me feel the most comfortable were the ones keeping me away from my true potential.
Here are some key lessons that helped me shift my mindset:
1. Seek Discomfort
We’ve all heard it, discomfort is the key to unleash your potential. This couldn’t be any truer.
Seeking discomfort is the only way for you to unlock, learn and better your potential. Feeling comfortable with your work? Push your boundaries and find ways to do better, take on more tasks or responsibilities.
You want to start your new business but don’t have time? Make it! Work on your business while you’re traveling, cooking, or before going to bed. Replace your Netflix movie nights with work time. Some of you are now thinking “I can’t work two jobs, I’m not a robot”. But to be ahead of others, you will to do what they’re not willing to do. So do you want to be like them?
There’s a Youtube Channel I’ve been following for quite a few years now, and it’s called Seek Discomfort. Pretty obvious right? It was originally created by the guys at Yes Theory, another great channel! To sum it up, 3 former friends, Ammar, Thomas and Matt, share they journey to inspire viewers to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new experiences, and challenge themselves to live more fulfilling lives through a journey of adventures, often involving travel, meeting strangers, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. I recommend you check it out!
The hustle is what’s going to get you ahead of people. The sacrifices you make today shape your tomorrow.
2. Focus on What Matters
It’s not just about focus, it’s about putting your focus on ‘what matters’. Don’t invest time in what doesn’t make you happier, healthier or smarter.
Whether you prefer watching educational videos, going to the gym or reading books, don’t put time and efforts into things that don’t make you a better version of yourself.
Drive yourself away from energy-draining things, like social media or friends who bring you down.
3. Take Responsibility for your Life
Like is filled with challenges, but it all starts with taking responsibility. We all have the power to shape our destiny, it all comes down to the choices we make. No one is ever going to come and save you. They’re not going to do your job, or start that new business for you. It’s all on you and it all starts with you.
Acknowledge flaws, learn from mistakes and forget about excuses. Taking responsibility, will help you make positive changes and make better choices.
4. Let Go of the Need of Approval
Let go of external validation. Most of us set up validation expectations only to feel proud about our work. Of course you should feel happy if people congratulate you, if they don’t move on to the next thing.
You should be driven by internal validation, and it start with accepting yourself — including your flaws — and working on yourself personally and professionally, to get better.
5. Focus on Your Habits
Focusing on your habits is the best way for you to better yourself. Think about what good habits you have, and keep on doing them or doing them more often if needed. Also think about the bad habits you have and ways to avoid them. For example if you spend hours watching Netflix on your weekends, you should try to go for a walk, maybe take an interesting book with you to read at the park or in a coffeeshop. Even if you don’t feel like going out, you can read at home to watch educational videos on youtube for example.
I find that the best way to replace bad habits, is to replace them with good ones. I used to go to bed late, which ultimately made me feel tired and sleepy through the day, or eventually take naps during the day. I then started a night routine: no more phone after 8 PM. I would watch one or two episodes of my favorite show and then read a few pages of a book and be asleep by 11 PM.
6. Embrace the Journey
Finding a purpose in life is not achieving a specific goal, but rather embracing the journey. You need to approach every day with a sense of adventure, with a sense of curiosity for the world and what it has to offer you.
At a young age, we are conditioned to:
- Go through school and get good grades
- Go through college
- Get a Degree and find a Job
By the time you’re done with these, you find yourself confused as what to do next. You need to understand that life is all about learning and finding new things that excite you.
Make today’s version of yourself better than yesterday, and tomorrow’s version even better. It’s what we can call the compound effect. You can read about it and more here.
Let the failures happen and make sure to learn from them. Just don’t let anyone force you to give up. Just because something happened one time there’s no guarantee of a repeat.
The 99% people have one bad failure and then use it as an excuse for the rest of their life to not try or do anything extraordinary. Don’t be like them
The last chapter of your life isn’t written again, but you hold the pen. Write your own story!