Imagine you're an unassuming child who doesn't know how to swim. Your father takes you to the nearby lake and tells you that if you want to swim you just have to paddle like a dog and not panic and that in order to stay afloat in the water all you have to do it lie on your back and relax. You listen, then you say okay, and suddenly without warning he throws you into the deepest part of the lake. He jumps in after you just in case.

At first you're caught of guard and afraid, but you remember what he told you and you're soon doing it, swimming. While it may take other kids a very long time to get used to the water, feel comfortable, learn and then finally make their way to jumping in the deep end of the lake, you're swimming around like a fish in just minutes.

7. Get out of your comfort zone

Although your comfort zone is well, comfortable, all the great things that you are destine to achieve lie outside of that zone. Some far, far outside. So if you ever want to achieve them, you've got to take that first step out.

6. Don't be scared, be cautious

Being scared is normal in situations that threaten your well being and that is just being cautious and it's important to recognize the difference between cautious and scared. Being cautious could save your life but sometimes the things that we are afraid of aren't necessarily a threat to our well being, sometimes they're just holding you back and they go away once you've faced them head on.

5. Trust yourself

Most people underestimate what they're capable of or doubt themselves at the last minute. Let go and trusting that everything will be okay. If you mess up than that's just a mistake that you can learn from.

4. Don't be afraid to fail

This is often said but it is very true. None of life's greatest achievements could have been achieved without multiple failures. And those failures never would have occurred without multiple, sometimes hopeless attempts.

3. Learn to adapt, quickly

Things change sometimes without warning and it is difficult to adapt sometimes, especially when you get so used to a certain way. Embracing that change and changing with it will make your life a lot less stressful and more fulfilling.

2. Expect the unexpected

Don't get thrown off your guard and when something bad or undesirable happens, see how you can make the best of the situation and roll with the punches.

1. Sink or swim

When you're thrown in the deep in, you sink of swim. You must chose to swim-- yes this is a choice. Even if it seems like you're getting no where or you're unsure or even a little scared, the best thing to do it to try your hardest and learn from your mistake and in no time you'll be swimming like a fish.