Try and consider what your idea of success is. Is it an upward slope until it reaches a maximum point, and eventually levels out and remains there until your days are done? Is it an exponential curve, starting out low and slow but eventually it picks up speed, the only place you can go is up? Is it a roller coaster of ups and downs, that never ends like those awful trig-diagrams that still haunt us from high school? We all have different images in our mind, but turns out there is no way of knowing until our years go on and we can reflect on our accomplishments and failures, working hand-in-hand in our process of success. Now, who am I to talk about success? I've been strutting my stuff on this Earth for a little more than 20 years, so what really is my "stuff'? Well, that's exactly it. I am not quite sure. I am at a point where I have worked my butt off to get where I am as an honors college student, and now it is time to decide where I am going. This doesn't necessarily end in college, and that is okay. So, what have I learned about being successful, even before reaching my own definition of success?
If you see it, you will achieve it!
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This goes above and beyond the idea of visualization. Visualizing your life and where you want to be is the first step, and quite frankly, I say that lightly. Why? Well, that vision cannot remain permanent in your mind. It needs to be relative to your experiences and thus allowed to be molded as things change. There is no reason to be completely absolute and stubborn to one specific way. Be as detailed as you can, but allow for all other doors to be unlocked.
Actively seek out ways to literally see your goals. If your dream is opening up your own business, go to businesses you respect and talk to the owners along with their employees. Do the same for businesses you don't necessarily like. Assess what you believe allows for their success. Same for any goal. Looking for a successful relationship? Surround yourself with healthy relationships of all sorts and you will manifest positive connections with the ones around you. Immerse yourself in the world that you want to be a part of.
Create a storyboard of how you want to live your life and constantly add and take away from it. The bigger, the better! Keep it in your own private space so it can be completely your own, without the influence of others around you. In the end, this is your life and you need to do whatever it takes for you to stay motivated.
If your body is moving, so is your brain!
As a former athlete, starting college really took a toll on me. I went from running around a basketball court or a lacrosse field five-six days a week to barely running at all. Now, intense exercise isn't for everyone. However, those of you who are like me, don't stop! I truly fell into a funk once I cut back on working out. Six months ago, I started kickboxing classes, and I began to get back in shape and I saw all the tension built up from the months prior release instantaneously.
If the intensity level isn't needed for you, I still recommend getting your body going. Even my morning walk from Penn Station to school gets my juices flowing. Studies have shown that people who are more active have increased energy levels and thus have more productive, and even happier, lifestyles.
I would push very hard for this, but only you know what is best for you. The hustle is exhausting, so at least find ways to keep yourself occupied when you have down time, something stimulating but still allows you to catch your breath. We cannot lose our interests solely for one aspect of our lives.
If you're 20, 40 or 60, it is never too early or too late!
The people I idolize the most and consider to be remarkably successful have preached this to me one way or another:
You are never too young or too old to live your dreams!
Look at Vera Wang. She was a figure skater and journalist before she lived out her dream in the fashion world at 40 years old. At age 16, Sydney McLaughlin will be competing as the youngest track olympian this year at Rio. Colonel Harland Sanders didn't establish the Kentucky Fried Chicken chain until age 65!
It is never too early to creep up on success, and better yet, success has no expiration date if you don't allow it to.
This is because what matters most is the passion and hard work you put into what it is that you are looking for. Timing cannot always be perfect, what matters is patience and taking that leap of faith. Courage will separate you from the rest.
I write this from a place of need. I need to trust these words as they have been spoken to me, and I have only experienced the short term effects. While it's been nothing but positive, I have long ways to go. Deep in my heart, I believe that sharing your experiences with others will open up your mind as well as there's, creating mutual benefit. Actively listening to the people you aspire to be like will lead you in the path you have been searching for.
I can only hope to look back on this and see where I could have been even more helpful, but this is what I see now and I know so much more is to come.
Just like Rome - our careers, relationships, wealth and happiness cannot be built in a day. Fight for your dreams and always remember to enjoy the journey.
