I just finished watching various channels on YouTube about ‘Principles’ and gathering the determination to become more than myself. I’ve come to realize it’s not about motivation or the things I want. It’s about looking to the future – at my future me. Who do I want to be? Where would my focus lie if I were that person?
The thing that got me the most was the phrase “Lead your life. Don’t let things just happen to you.” I don’t remember specifically which video it was or who said it, but I remember the words and how I felt when I heard them. The eye-opening image it put in my head was enough for me to get up and see the world differently. I’m writing now, because I don’t want to only write from time to time…don’t get me wrong, I won’t say that I’m going to write every day or try to convince myself that I’m going to be consistent with these posts. What I’m saying is I’m writing with intention. I’m writing because that’s what I do. I share my thoughts and I share them here.
Responsibility
No one is coming to save you. There is no opportunity that will randomly appear to help you get to where you want to be. It all comes from you. Your life is your responsibility. That includes your habits, your mindset, and your results. These days, we really don’t think about what responsibility means. We “do what we need to do.” But what does that mean? And do you really? People come up with all these excuses, not knowing it’s actually just complacency. What we need is to stop acting like life is happening to us. We need to live our life.
Have you actually set your mind up with who you really want to be? Even if you have, have you really adopted the necessary lifestyle? Do you just bounce back eventually? To be fair, it’s easy to go back to comfort, but is comfort what you want? Or is it the life and personality that you dream of? Think of your future-self. Make him/her dominant. Make him/her your North Star and let’s go.
Every decision you make requires a lot of energy. Predictions, confusion, overwhelm, hesitation. It takes a toll. However, if you think of your North Star, it might be easier. What would that person do? What are that person’s principles? You need to make them yours – now. Life is too short to start later.
Live your life. Don’t let it just happen.
Niko in Japan 