As we bid adieu to 2023 and gear up for a brand new year, it’s not just about setting goals; it’s a profound farewell to our former selves, the missteps, and the battles lost. It’s the hopeful embrace of a fresh start with the dawn of a new year.
For those yearning to ascend to the upper echelons and stand among the top 1%, you’ve arrived at the right juncture. I’m not here to impart wisdom, but to share my personal journey – a journey that defied the odds and secured a spot on the pedestal. Why listen to me?
Perhaps because, in 2023, I escaped the clutches of a very stressfull way of working in my job that brought only waves of unhappiness. I bid farewell to living like a robot, doing monotonous tasks with minimal impact, working late nights, and lack of quality time with friends and family. Fed up, I made a bunch of decisions that I am thankful for to this day.
I took a daring leap to take full charge of my life and prioritize what was important to me, only to land my dream 6-figure job. But that was just the beginning:
- I initiated my own business.
- Expanded my social presence.
- Engaged in global networking.
- Launched a successful blog and eCommerce website and finally created a passive income alongside my day job.
All of this achieved by adhering to a set of habits, models, and mentalities. The fundamental principle being:
“To outpace the 99%, you must embrace what the 99% is unwilling to do.”
Challenge your comfort, question if your actions breed comfort or laziness. Often, what feels most comfortable hinders us from reaching our true potential. Take my job, for instance – I could have lingered, passing time with minimal effort. Only by challenging this norm did I uncover a better opportunity and dared to start my own business.
Embrace Discomfort:
While it may sound cliché, seeking discomfort is the pivotal lesson. Professionally or personally, embracing discomfort is the sole means to unveil your true potential.
Want to start your own business but feeling short on time? Do it. Work while you’re on the go, cooking, or even just an hour before bedtime – swap TV time for work time. Let go of the materialistic happiness.
But you might think, isn’t that like being a robot? Nope. To get ahead, you gotta do things others won’t. In your 20s, some folks love to party, spend big, and go out all the time – nothing wrong with that, it’s a choice.
Your choices today shape your tomorrow. Like many, I’m making sacrifices now for a more comfy future. Hustling isn’t for the faint-hearted; you gotta set your mind to it. This builds toughness, adaptability, and a fearless attitude towards challenges.
Focus on What Matters:
Don’t waste time on things that don’t make you happier, healthier, or smarter. Whether it’s watching a show, eating healthy, or reading a book – make choices that make you better.
Whether you like podcasts or reading, yoga or exercise, don’t waste energy on things that don’t match the real you.
Life is short, so skip things that don’t excite you and make you happy. Stay away from things like social media or celebrity gossip that drain your energy, and spend time on what’s truly important to you.
Step up and Own Your Life:
Life is full of challenges, but being successful starts with taking charge. You hold the power to shape where you’re headed. Nobody’s swooping in to save you or tackle the hard stuff on your behalf. They won’t find a job or kickstart a business for you. It’s all in your hands – make every moment matter.
Recognize your flaws, learn from slip-ups, and ditch the excuses. By taking charge, you get the freedom to make good changes and go after your goals with purpose.
Let Go of Needing Approval:
To be successful, it often means not relying too much on what others think. The first time I got a good grade, my mom said ‘Good Job.’ After that, I worked really hard to always get the highest score just to hear those words from her. But that wasn’t a good thing because if I didn’t hear them, I wouldn’t feel proud of my score.
I started expecting approval to feel proud of my work.
To move forward, stop needing approval all the time. If people congratulate you, that’s great; if they don’t, keep going. Focus on believing in yourself, flaws and all, and go after your goals without being sorry about it.
Build Toughness :
Being tough is crucial for growing as a person. It means bouncing back from tough times, handling changes, and not giving up when things get hard.
You need to be okay with the idea that sometimes things won’t go well. For me, when something didn’t work out, I didn’t see it as a loss, but as a chance to learn.
The strongest person isn’t the one who never fails, but the one who fails and still keeps going. In your journey, there will be days when you don’t feel like doing anything. Those are the days you have to keep going and become even stronger.
By building toughness, you not only handle challenges but also thrive even when things are difficult.
Focus on Your Habits:
Discovering your business niche might not come easy. Focus on your skills and what brings you happiness. Find the intersection of what you’re good at, what people will pay you for, and what’s trending in the business realm. The moment you find the answer to these — you’ve taken the first step in the path.
Grow a Network:
Being mysterious and a lone wolf can only take you so far. Share your experiences online, build connections, and witness your support system flourish. Geography is just a detail; your global connections await. As you grow your network, you’ll realize the importance of having the right support.
Embrace the Journey:
Discovering the meaning of life isn’t just about reaching goals; it’s about enjoying the journey. Find happiness in growing and learning about yourself, rather than just focusing on reaching the end.
Keep a curious and excited attitude about the world, and approach each day as an adventure. Many people feel lost in their mid-twenties because they followed a set path: go to school, get good grades, attend a good college, get a degree, and find a job. By your mid-twenties, you might feel confused because you’ve followed these steps, and now you’re not sure what to do without a set plan.
Life is about learning and exploring new things. Don’t let a strict set of rules determine your life.
Remember, climb mountains not to show off to the world, but so you can see the world, as David McCullough Jr. wisely said.
When you aim to improve, strive to be better than the person you were yesterday. Work hard, let go of fear, and chase your goals to make yourself proud.