Are you the hero or the villain in your own story? Most people want to be the hero but it doesn’t always turn out that way.
Sometimes, you’re the villain. You become your own worst enemy when you tell yourself you can’t do something and you won’t succeed. But how do you defy that inner voice and outperform your expectations?
It’s easy to face a challenge we’ve conquered before. But how do we outperform ourselves?
The answer comes from a formula I learned in writing class. It applies to real life, too—it’s not just the stuff of fiction. But you might be thinking, it’s not possible to make your life turn out EXACTLY the way you want it to be!
Well, the outcome depends on the decisions you make now to achieve that success in life that you’re looking for. Here are the first three steps to take.
Daily writing prompt
Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
Step 1: Embrace Change
Which would you rather be: a famous hero or an anonymous one? Everyone has their preference. Maybe you don’t even want to be famous and that’s okay. But are you happy with your life the way that it is? What would you do if you had a chance to make a change?
Change sometimes happens, even when we want to avoid it. Maybe you lost your job. Maybe you’re now a parent (and no one is really ready for that). You’re on a different journey than expected. What will you do now?
Don’t be the voice of self doubt. Your doubts are your enemy. Try the following tips instead:
1. Focus on one goal.
Use the K.I.S.S. method (Keep It Simple, Survivor!). Each day, decide on one thing you want to accomplish and get that done. Go for a 15-minute walk. Clean one room of your home. Learn one new thing from one YouTube video.
2. Challenge yourself.
Don’t accept things as they are. If you lose your job, find another one. (That suggestion is obvious, but the hard part is staying motivated to do this.) You can change your world the way it is right now. Be ready to climb a steep mountain though. Change isn’t easy.
Step 2: Define Your Journey
Your ability to succeed and achieve your dreams depends greatly on your choices. It becomes your identity.Â
But what if you want to change where your life is headed right now? For example, if you want to change your career, you could take these steps:
1. Upgrade your skills.
You can take courses, watch free videos, network with people, get advice and information, or find a mentor. This advice also applies to other aspects of life, like improving relationships and improving at hobbies.
2. Change your situation.
Change is good. If your career isn’t headed in the right direction, consider changing jobs. If life isn’t what you expected, make new friends, visit new places, or change your focus.
Step 3: Define Your World – Create Your Boundaries
Creating your world may sound like fiction. In this case, it isn’t. Like they say, the world in your mind is the world you project on your reality.
If your inside voice – that voice of doubt – says you can’t do it, then the reality is you won’t. (Not saying you can fly if you put your mind to it – just saying if you set attainable goals, you can attain them.) So how will you see your world when you wake up tomorrow? How can you apply the following tips to define your life?
1. Adapt to a new reality.
If your circumstances change, make adaptations so your new reality will work out. If you get a pay cut, adjust your budget and set goals to improve your situation.
2. Grow stronger and build on what you have.
How can you build on your current skill set? What skills can you improve to do your current job more effectively? Do you have skills that are transferable to a new career?
Summary
You might not be a superhero, but you are still the hero on your journey. Your skills and mindset define the boundaries of your world and the path you’re headed for your future. We are like the heroes we read about in books and watch in movies.
Challenge yourself to complete a goal, upgrade your skills, or redefine yourself. Heroes don’t achieve great things by staying comfortable. So, what is your next big step in your journey? Comment below.
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