So much of life is about being mentally tough. As cliché as it sounds, you really can do anything you set your mind to. But it takes a special person to be able to push passed the physical obstacles – passed exhaustion and fatigue, passed being sore or hungry, passed the stress and the worry. It takes someone special.

It’s easy for me to sit here and say, "just do it" – certainly easier said than done. But the truth of the matter is, just like anything else, it takes practice. Mentally preparing yourself is no small task. And just like everything else, the skills to motivate yourself take time to cultivate. If it were easy, everyone would do it. And not everyone is able to push themselves.

If I had to pinpoint where it starts? Will power. Having the will to run until your legs are numb, or swim until you’re aspirating water, or even to just say no to that extra scoop of mashed potatoes at dinner. That starts with will power.

Next is following through on your actions. Have goals for yourself, for your future. But more importantly, work for those goals. Don’t (ever) settle for anything less. Make more difficult goals for yourself. Don’t become complacent.

Push yourself.

A competitive attitude can lead to major improvements, so long as you don’t let yourself slip up. But we are all human. So if it happens along the road, take it in stride and use it as a learning experience. Don’t dwell. Don’t slump. Prepare yourself more next time.

Push yourself. Do better.

Finally, be contagious. Let your positive attitude and hard work catch on to those around you. Pick them up when they’re down, or when they think that they can’t keep moving. Don’t let them quit. Be tough for them when they are unable. An applicable life philosophy: “Go out into the world and do well. But more importantly, do good.” Be the guiding light for others. Keep them on track. It will help you become more mentally tough too.

Push yourself. Do better. Push others.

Carry on. Keep fighting. Don’t stop.