1. Stop: Comparing yourself to others.

Avoid jealousy at all costs. This is a productivity killer. Everybody has their own path. You should embrace the trials and tribulations of your journey. Be grateful for your problems as it makes persevering much more worthwhile and gratifying. Someone who is up right now may not be up a few months down the road. Life is unpredictable, make sure you’re taking care of yourself instead of watching others take care of themselves.

2. Stop: Doubting yourself.

Doubting yourself hasn’t gotten you anywhere and it never will. This is more than enough reason to break the habit. Move throughout your life with the confidence you can do anything you want, all while having the faith you will. “He who who says he can and he who says he can’t are both usually right.” Confucius said this long ago, and it will ring true for eons to come. Tell yourself you can all while doing what you can and you will. Believe that.

3. Stop: Giving passes to ungrateful people.

If I cook, you do the dishes. If you cook, I do the dishes. If we go out to eat, girl we paying for ourselves. If you say the check is together; we not together. You gave me no option but to MTV Next that ass.

4. Stop: Social media over usage.

Too much of anything can be bad for you, social media included. Social media tends to be a catalyst for comparing ourselves to others, which we all know is unhealthy. Not only this, but it is always easier to waste time creeping and browsing, leading us to be unproductive, my G. Be productive in 2017. Chase your dreams. Be healthy. Focus on you and watch their attention shift, leading them to focus on you too. All within due time. All within due time, trust me.

5. Stop: Waiting for the right time.

The OGs always say life is about timing, and they’re right. Listen to them. Yes, there are times better suited for certain actions in specific situations, but remember not to hesitate too long. Many times we spend our years waiting for things we’ll never be ready to do. Just go for it. Take the leap of faith, and may your faith carry you to a destination you very much desire.

6. Stop: Saying J. Cole went double platinum with no features.

That joke sucks and that factoid is overused. J. Cole is a great rapper, but to keep referring back to his double platinum album Forest Hills Drive is almost like subconsciously saying that was his peak, which could be true, but in my opinion FHD is nothing compared to Friday Night Lights. Just saying.

7. Stop: Being afraid of failure.

Settling is very convenient and being complacent is easy to do. In order to grow, you must push and challenge yourself. This life doesn’t come easy, but anything worth having is certainly worth some effort. Try and try and try again. Even if things do not work out the first time, keep going. Failure does not exist in the presence of perseverance, remember that.

Happy New Year’s. May 2017 bring the best times of your life (so far) and the best out of you. Blessings.