If I was anyone else, I would be disappointed!

The following isn’t for everyone, but everyone should know that a lot of us, me included, have struggled with ourselves more than we care to admit. Some of us have to avoid getting in our own way on a daily basis, and others, just every once in a while. I win more than I lose now. I stand tall knowing I honestly feel if I were anyone else I would be disappointed. I didn’t always feel that way.

A lot of my behaviors and actions early in life were just that, disappointing. I never felt like I lived up to expectations, mine or others. It was everyone else’s fault, and my pity parties were legendary. I strayed down many wrong paths, and burned bridges like a retreating army. It was hard to look at myself in the mirror; until I looked at myself in the mirror.

The power of realizing that you put yourself into a bad spot, and only you, at the end of the day, is going to be able to pull your head out of your ass, is as freeing as it is terrifying. Be brutally honest with yourself about your past and current self. Acknowledge and start to learn from your mistakes and forgive yourself. Again, forgive yourself. (It’s ok, we all screw up.) Game plan, goal set, and move forward.

Set realistic goals. Aim big, and then break it down into pieces that you can handle. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and being the person you truly want to be is going to be a battle. An extremely worthwhile battle. Don’t try to win too early, but be aware of opportunities and go after them. Once you smash a goal, cross it off and keep moving forward. (Side note: take the time to pat yourself on the back with each goal reached!)

Every single day we are faced with an overwhelming amount of decisions. Some are mundane and effortless, most are life changing. Take the time to think about your choices and think about what is best for you and your loved ones, not necessarily appeasing others or immediate satisfaction. Bottom line, make well thought out choices and decisions that help advance you towards your goals.

Be consistent with your goals and behaviors. Stay focused, keep taking steps to chip away at the small goals so that you can smash the long term big goals. Stay as positive as possible at all times. Failure is learning. Period. Learn and keep moving forward. Trust me, do this and the day will come when you will look at that mirror and you will be so proud of yourself and what you are becoming, that if you were anyone else, you would be disappointed.