J
Jared_K
Guest
First of all, just keep in mind that I’m not telling anyone what to do. This will resonate more with people who are looking to improve their lives.
Focus on growth every day. Evaluate everything you do in life, ask yourself, “Does this help me grow?” If it doesn’t help you grow spiritually, physically, mentally, socially or financially, then it’s a distraction. And while the occasional distraction is fine when you’re resting or filling the empty time, finding ways to become more productive during that time is going to be beneficial to you in the long run. Cut the noise, limit, eliminate or be more decisive with the social media you consume and you may see yourself becoming much happier. If it causes you distress, it’s not good for you.
Here‘s an example: Sometimes I watch fun movies or TV shows, stand-up comedies or random YouTube videos. Are they the best thing for me? Not really. But I do find them entertaining. My goal is to work my way up and become an X-Ray technician, reach my fitness goals, get closer to god, build my social network which includes finding someone to settle down with and have a family someday so I can become the best “me” I can be. So while I still find time for the fun stuff, I balance it out with watching human anatomy educational videos as early prep for college and med school, I watch motivational videos while I’m exercising to help build my mentality towards discipline and staying locked in, I listen to the audio Bible on YouTube or bible apps to get my Word in, I go to church and stay connected, and yes, I’m not afraid to admit that I even talk to a therapist to make sure I’m staying on track, which I’m probably going to graduate soon. It‘s never a weakness to seek help from your peers if you need it, and being vulnerable with others can actually deepen your connections with people, especially if they’re the friendly supportive types that build you up.
Truth be told, if you’re unsure of where to begin, I’d recommend starting with health and physical fitness. Your body is your temple. Start by eating whole, healthy foods that are not processed. If it doesn’t look like it was grown, if it’s not natural, then it’s not good for your body. Drink plenty of water. Fruits, veggies, whole grains and meats = good. Cereal, chips, sweets and sodas = not good. And yes, there are inexpensive ways to eat healthy without slaving away in the kitchen for hours. The physical and mental benefits you get from exercising and working out are incredibly important, especially if you lack confidence and self-esteem—both of which you don’t just learn or “fake it until you make it” which people can see through, you wear them. You radiate them. It doesn’t take much to start. Walk for 5 minutes after each meal, do one push-up against the wall, and then that becomes too easy, build on them. You’ll feel better and be more outgoing. People treat you with more respect when you take care of yourself, and most of them don’t even know why or realize that they’re doing it. You’re putting the rest of your life on easy mode when you put in 10-30+ minutes of work a day.
Some of you may read this saying to yourself “Well, if I only had more motivation.” Or “I’ll start tomorrow.” Don’t fall for that trap. Start today. Now is the only time. Don’t be the person who says “I’ll chase my dreams tomorrow” because tomorrow will turn into the next day, the next month, the next year. Then you wake up and look in the mirror seeing someone who is old and tired saying “I wish I did more.” As long as you have breath in your lungs and your heart is beating, it’s never too late. The truth is, motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes and disappears at the first sign of trouble. Build a relationship with discipline instead. Discipline will never leave you. Discipline will be there on the days you don‘t feel like it. Discipline is building a habit so strong that doing what you need to do every day feels normal, and not doing it feels wrong.
It doesn’t matter if you‘ve been going for 3 years like I have and feel like you’re not getting anywhere which is so far from the truth. It’s those little realizations “My waist has gone down 3 inches,” “I’m looking skinnier everywhere despite the scale not budging,” “My doctor told me I have a perfect heart and the blood pressure of a 16 year-old” “My bank account is growing,” “I just made a new friend today,” “I have a date now,” or even a simple “I showed up for myself today and that’s worth celebrating” is all you need. And yes, all of those are things I’ve seen in my own life just from prioritizing growth. Don’t compare yourself to me or anyone else, I am very much on the low end of what society considers normal right now. Comparison is the thief of joy. Instead, compare yourself with the person you were two days ago. Two weeks ago. Two months ago. Two years ago. Believe in yourself, and be kind to yourself. Work when you can. Rest when you need to. I believe in each and every one of you. If I didn’t, I wouldn't have posted this. Go chase your dreams.
(Thank you for reading this. I’m proud of you for making it this far. If you have any questions, message me here or in private and I’ll do my best to answer. I could write a lot more and make a small book out of this, but I’ll leave it at that for now. Maybe I’ll make a part 2 later.)
Focus on growth every day. Evaluate everything you do in life, ask yourself, “Does this help me grow?” If it doesn’t help you grow spiritually, physically, mentally, socially or financially, then it’s a distraction. And while the occasional distraction is fine when you’re resting or filling the empty time, finding ways to become more productive during that time is going to be beneficial to you in the long run. Cut the noise, limit, eliminate or be more decisive with the social media you consume and you may see yourself becoming much happier. If it causes you distress, it’s not good for you.
Here‘s an example: Sometimes I watch fun movies or TV shows, stand-up comedies or random YouTube videos. Are they the best thing for me? Not really. But I do find them entertaining. My goal is to work my way up and become an X-Ray technician, reach my fitness goals, get closer to god, build my social network which includes finding someone to settle down with and have a family someday so I can become the best “me” I can be. So while I still find time for the fun stuff, I balance it out with watching human anatomy educational videos as early prep for college and med school, I watch motivational videos while I’m exercising to help build my mentality towards discipline and staying locked in, I listen to the audio Bible on YouTube or bible apps to get my Word in, I go to church and stay connected, and yes, I’m not afraid to admit that I even talk to a therapist to make sure I’m staying on track, which I’m probably going to graduate soon. It‘s never a weakness to seek help from your peers if you need it, and being vulnerable with others can actually deepen your connections with people, especially if they’re the friendly supportive types that build you up.
Truth be told, if you’re unsure of where to begin, I’d recommend starting with health and physical fitness. Your body is your temple. Start by eating whole, healthy foods that are not processed. If it doesn’t look like it was grown, if it’s not natural, then it’s not good for your body. Drink plenty of water. Fruits, veggies, whole grains and meats = good. Cereal, chips, sweets and sodas = not good. And yes, there are inexpensive ways to eat healthy without slaving away in the kitchen for hours. The physical and mental benefits you get from exercising and working out are incredibly important, especially if you lack confidence and self-esteem—both of which you don’t just learn or “fake it until you make it” which people can see through, you wear them. You radiate them. It doesn’t take much to start. Walk for 5 minutes after each meal, do one push-up against the wall, and then that becomes too easy, build on them. You’ll feel better and be more outgoing. People treat you with more respect when you take care of yourself, and most of them don’t even know why or realize that they’re doing it. You’re putting the rest of your life on easy mode when you put in 10-30+ minutes of work a day.
Some of you may read this saying to yourself “Well, if I only had more motivation.” Or “I’ll start tomorrow.” Don’t fall for that trap. Start today. Now is the only time. Don’t be the person who says “I’ll chase my dreams tomorrow” because tomorrow will turn into the next day, the next month, the next year. Then you wake up and look in the mirror seeing someone who is old and tired saying “I wish I did more.” As long as you have breath in your lungs and your heart is beating, it’s never too late. The truth is, motivation is fleeting. It comes and goes and disappears at the first sign of trouble. Build a relationship with discipline instead. Discipline will never leave you. Discipline will be there on the days you don‘t feel like it. Discipline is building a habit so strong that doing what you need to do every day feels normal, and not doing it feels wrong.
It doesn’t matter if you‘ve been going for 3 years like I have and feel like you’re not getting anywhere which is so far from the truth. It’s those little realizations “My waist has gone down 3 inches,” “I’m looking skinnier everywhere despite the scale not budging,” “My doctor told me I have a perfect heart and the blood pressure of a 16 year-old” “My bank account is growing,” “I just made a new friend today,” “I have a date now,” or even a simple “I showed up for myself today and that’s worth celebrating” is all you need. And yes, all of those are things I’ve seen in my own life just from prioritizing growth. Don’t compare yourself to me or anyone else, I am very much on the low end of what society considers normal right now. Comparison is the thief of joy. Instead, compare yourself with the person you were two days ago. Two weeks ago. Two months ago. Two years ago. Believe in yourself, and be kind to yourself. Work when you can. Rest when you need to. I believe in each and every one of you. If I didn’t, I wouldn't have posted this. Go chase your dreams.
(Thank you for reading this. I’m proud of you for making it this far. If you have any questions, message me here or in private and I’ll do my best to answer. I could write a lot more and make a small book out of this, but I’ll leave it at that for now. Maybe I’ll make a part 2 later.)
