If it occupies your time but ultimately hinders your progress, it’s merely a distraction. Don’t settle.
There exists a stark contrast between mere tiredness and fulfilling exhaustion. Life is fleeting, making it imperative to prioritize what truly counts. Moreover, life is too brief for habits and routines that trap you in a relentless cycle of feeling perpetually behind. Today, let’s explore three prevalent behaviors that often keep most of us ensnared in this loop.
1. We keep attempting to beat the odds in an unhelpful environment.
Regardless of your inner strength or unwavering ambition, if you remain entrenched in a setting that opposes your best efforts, it’s only a matter of time before you yield to that environment.
This is where countless individuals (more…)
If it occupies your time but ultimately hinders your progress, it’s merely a distraction. Don’t settle.
There exists a stark contrast between mere tiredness and fulfilling exhaustion. Life is fleeting, making it imperative to prioritize what truly counts. Moreover, life is too brief for habits and routines that trap you in a relentless cycle of feeling perpetually behind. Today, let’s explore three prevalent behaviors that often keep most of us ensnared in this loop.
1. We keep attempting to beat the odds in an unhelpful environment.
Regardless of your inner strength or unwavering ambition, if you remain entrenched in a setting that opposes your best efforts, it’s only a matter of time before you yield to that environment.
This is where countless individuals make significant errors in their life choices. When we face difficulties in an unhealthy setting, we often feel trapped — convinced that finding a more supportive environment, even temporarily, is unattainable. Instead of thriving in a nurturing space that propels us forward, we exhaust our energy dragging the excess baggage of a toxic environment along. Eventually, despite our strenuous efforts, our energy reserves deplete.
The essential takeaway is that our surroundings profoundly influence us. Therefore, one of the most effective ways to channel your energy is by intentionally crafting a work and living space that fosters the outcomes you aspire to achieve.
For instance, if you’re aiming to decrease your alcohol intake, it’s vital to…
- Minimize time spent with individuals who drink.
- Avoid social settings that promote alcohol consumption.
If you neglect this, your resolve may wane…
“Just one more drink won’t hurt, right?”
Incorrect!
You must establish firm boundaries, commit, and adjust your surroundings to facilitate the realization of your goals.
Consider these additional examples:
- If weight loss is your aim, surround yourself with positive, health-conscious peers who prioritize nutrition and fitness.
- If you aspire to become a professional comedian, engage with industry professionals, perform at local venues, and cultivate an environment aligned with your ambition.
- If your goal is to conquer personal challenges and lead a happier existence, connect with individuals who share these aspirations, whether through local support groups, personal-growth seminars, or online communities.
The crux is that while strength and resolve play a role, they are insufficient on their own. To create substantial and lasting changes in your life, you must also adapt your environment to your needs. This principle is fundamental to our growth as individuals. We adjust to our surroundings, slowly and inevitably. Thus, genuine development entails actively seeking or establishing enriching environments that facilitate our growth.
2. We keep striving for “success” based on others’ standards.
All the members of my immediate and extended family fell into one of two categories:
- College graduates with stable positions at large corporations
- Blue-collar workers who steadily climbed the corporate ladder
The one common thread was the assurance of a consistent paycheck from a reputable company. That was the tacit definition of success within my family. According to that yardstick, I was deemed unsuccessful, and still am.
Though I earned my degree, I chose to explore several small startups instead. My earnings were modest and job stability was hit-or-miss (but I was gaining valuable experience). Then, a few years later, amid a series of personal upheavals, I decided to leave my day job to devote myself entirely to a side venture called Marc and Angel Hack Life(which you may have heard of), that Marc and I slowly nurtured during our nighttime hours.
Understandably, my family expressed doubt about my unconventional career trajectory.
Eventually, I came to the realization that I had to relinquish my family’s definition of success.
Moreover, I had to release everyone else’s definitions of success as well.
Admittedly, this was easier said than done. The standards of success I grew up with and the beliefs they represented were so deeply entrenched in the beliefs and stories I absorbed that they became a measuring stick for my self-worth. Consequently, it took time for me to clarify what success genuinely meant for me. You may relate, as nobody is exempt from this influence. Even the most accomplished entrepreneurs and creatives can fall prey to the pervasive notion that fortune and fame signify success.
Ultimately, while challenging, casting aside others’ definitions of success is profoundly liberating and can lead to the most authentic expression of who YOU are.
Consider this for a moment…
No one else will live with the consequences of your choices. So why should you measure yourself against their misguided definitions of success?
Have you recently taken a moment to define what success truly means to YOU at this point in your life?
Or have you simply accepted definitions imposed by those surrounding you?
For far too many, the answer tends to be the latter.
A client recently informed Marc and me of her ambition to become a millionaire to fulfill predefined success benchmarks. Yet upon deeper reflection, it became clear that many of her motivations for such wealth didn’t necessitate a million dollars. She had simply been conditioned to think they did. It led her to chuckle aloud when she realized this.
By grasping the underlying essence of your goals and the way YOU define success, it becomes easier to discard the imposed standards from others. And remember, the focus isn’t on whether one standard of success is better or worse; what matters is your power to define it on your own terms.
Simply be aware that the more intentional and thoughtful you can be about your personal definition of success, the more empowered you will feel to navigate the path that resonates with you, minimizing any potential regret along the way. (Note: “The Good Morning Journal: Powerful Prompts & Reflections to Start Every Day” serves as an excellent tool for daily self-reflection and affirmation.)
3. We keep waiting to discover passion externally.
Learn to trust that you are meant to experience each day with passion and purpose — recognizing that every moment holds its own value. Also, remember that passion isn’t something you stumble upon; it’s something you cultivate. If you seek the drive and enthusiasm necessary to alter your circumstances, you must take that initial step.
Many people find themselves hopelessly searching for their “passion” — an intangible quality they believe will lead them to happiness, success, or the life they desire. I use the term “hopelessly” because passion isn’t something that can be found. When we claim to be searching for our passion, it suggests that we believe it’s obscured behind an obstacle waiting for us to unveil it. However, that notion couldn’t be further from the reality. The truth is that our passion is ignited through our actions. If you continue to wait around to “find your passion” beyond yourself, hoping it will inspire you to invest fully in your life and the transformative steps you need to take, you may be left waiting indefinitely.
Conversely, if you’re weary of waiting and eager to embrace a more passionate life starting now, it’s time to actively infuse passion into your next endeavor. Consider the following:
- When did you last engage in an engrossing conversation with someone nearby, free of distractions and with your full attention?
- When was the last occasion you exercised and truly gave it your all?
- When did you genuinely strive — truly strive — to excel?
Like many, you’re probably applying only partial effort in most of your everyday activities. Because you’re still in a waiting pattern. You’re holding out for a sign — a magical trigger that will propel you into the life you yearn to create. Instead, you need to flip that script!
During my childhood, my grandmother often advised, “Don’t wait for better chances. The opportunity before you is the best option.” She also advised, “Too frequently, we spend excessive time perfecting an idea before we even begin. Stop waiting for perfection; exert your best efforts with the resources you possess today, and refine them tomorrow.”
Interestingly enough, recent psychological studies support my grandmother’s insights. For years, psychologists believed our thoughts could only impact our physical state and not vice versa. However, it’s now widely recognized that our physical expressions and posture can significantly influence our mental state as well. Thus, while we evolve from the inside out, our external actions can also induce internal change. You can leverage this insight. If you seek greater passion and joy in your life right now, take action in the present.
Dedicate yourself to something!
Focus not on the opportunities of tomorrow but on the ones right in front of you.
Concentrate not on the responsibilities of tomorrow but on today’s tasks.
Channel your energy not into tomorrow’s workouts, but into the one scheduled for today.
Invest not in tomorrow’s connections, but in the relationships you have today.
Marc and I firmly believe you have abundant opportunities worth your time and effort right now. People and situations in your life depend on you just as much as you need them. There’s a vast reservoir of latent passion within you, just ready to be unleashed… STOP WAITING!
Now it’s your opportunity…
Yes, now is your moment to start embracing the beauty and practicality of leading a more intentional existence, filled with passion and purpose, in supportive environments…
But before you continue, please share your thoughts on this essay in the comments below. Your feedback is valuable to us. 🙂
Which of the habits or insights mentioned above resonated with you the most today?
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