"Your network determines your net worth." - unknown
You might have heard this phrase before, but how many people who have heard it actually understand it. Have you ever heard the phrase "birds of a feather flock together"? I bet you have and there is so much truth to it. If you surround yourself with positive successful people you will only benefit from them and same goes if you surround yourself with bums; you will eventually adopt some of their negative and pessimistic attitudes.
"You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." - Jim Rohn
WHAT IS YOUR WHY? It's a simple question, but many people can't answer it. To be honest it should be quick like the snap of a finger. If you haven't figured it out yet, you need to do some soul searching.
“There is a voice inside of you that whispers all day long, 'I feel that this is right for me, I know that this is wrong.' No teacher, preacher, parent, friend or wise man can decide what's right for you - just listen to the voice that speaks inside.”
― Shel Silverstein
Whether you want to call it your inner voice, inner guide, spiritual guide, conscious mind or something altogether different, you know you have felt it. THAT CALLING! Haven't you felt like you were meant for more?
What do you want in life?
What is your passion?
What holds your attention to the point that people think you are obsessed?
There are only two things that will spark that your fire inside you to become a success: Inspiration or Desperation.
Believe me when I say this, it was a bit of both for me.
Whatever field you are looking to get into, it is of the upmost importance that you get yourself around the right people who are great in that field. It matters who you hang around and learn from. It doesn't matter if it's sales, real estate, retail or a trade....the list goes on. LEARN FROM THE BEST! Wouldn't you agree it makes sense to learn about jewelry from a jeweler and not from say a mechanic? If you wanted to learn how to fix a car you wouldn't go to a jeweler, you would go to a mechanic.
This is a simple formula, but why do so many choose not to follow it? WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE?
Listen we all have basic needs: Food, Water, Clothing & Shelter. Unfortunately, these all require $$$ so you will either need to find a job or start your own business, Capeesh? Let's be honest, the cost of living keeps rising so its important to spend your time and money wisely. TIME=MONEY!
Do not take out student loans and put yourself in debt just to get an education UNLESS your field requires it. Majority of the classes will have very little impact on your success in the real world. To be successful, you have to believe you will be and work hard towards your goals. ACTION and DISCIPLINE will play more of a role in your life than just attending college.
The time is now to get your life in order. Do not waste time blaming anyone, including yourself. Make moves! The longer you put off improving your situation, the easier it will be to fall into a depression. Trust me when I say this, "bills will keep coming in on a monthly basis whether you are working or not." Ask any responsible adult and they will tell you the same, if you don't pay those bills, it can and will lead you into a deep hole that will be difficult to get out off (bad credit, eviction, foreclosure, stress and all the medical conditions associated with said stress.) Don't let this happen to you!
Here's how you start: set a realistic goal that you want accomplish today. I don't care what it is(10 push ups, drinking only water, reading a book; just nothing illegal OK!), but you must document it. Write it down in a notepad, type in in your phone, whatever you prefer for your records and once done, mark it complete. (I prefer to write down my goals, but you can do both because it is not always convenient to carry a notepad.)
Lets 10x this, write down 100 things you want. Cross each item off your list once you accomplish it. If you can't come up with 100 things you are not thinking big enough. THINK BIG!
"From small beginnings come great things"
Now that you're on your journey to a better life: set 30 day, 60 day and 90 day goals on top of your daily goals. Goal setting is very important and will give you a sense of personal control and direction. Stay focused! Consistency is the key to progress and be realistic with your goals: Losing 10lbs in a month is GOOD vs losing 100lbs in a month is BAD!
Are you still here? Great! Look we live in the information age so it's so easy to find a mentor/teacher with just a click of a button. Classes, books, videos and seminars are available all over the internet; library and book stores for you to study and learn for free or at nominal cost are available for everyone. If you can't afford to go to school, get a job first, preferably one that offers tuition reimbursement and then take it from there.
Think, Grow, Prosper, Make Your Own Luck!
Always remember to surround yourself with positive people who will support you during your bad days, not just your good ones.