In order to get something, we must give something.

We are nearing that time of year where everyone begins to think about achievements and goals. Where they are and where they want to be.

Success in achieving your goals has a lot to do with what you are giving into it. Is your goal something you were fully committed to in the first place? Are you lit up by the idea of putting effort into yourself to achieve this goal? That’s what it’s about. It’s not about the goal. It’s about your relationship with the goal.

Take for instance, athletes. They love a challenge, they love working out, not because it’s giving them something, it’s what they are putting into themselves. Their effort. What they are building and doing for themselves.

Another important factor in being successful with goals is bringing positivity into your work towards the goals. Athletes don’t quit when they don’t hit their numbers for the day. They focus on what’s blocking progress: Did I eat enough protein or carbs to fuel my workout, am I getting enough sleep, am I providing my body ample rest, am I stretching enough, etc…The key is, they’re not looking to blame themselves they’re looking at what they can improve.

To get anything in life we must work towards it. Whatever you are working towards must be something you are 100% connected to. It’s your dream, your desire, you can see yourself nailing it, you can feel the excitement of the experience before even doing it. Most importantly, you know it’s not going to be easy and you’re ok with that.

If you’re waiting for something to give you happiness, you’ll be waiting for eternity. Life doesn’t work that way. Whatever we want out of life, must be something we feel fully connected to and then we must work for it. Full effort, fully engaged and fully committed to I’m Doing This For Myself!

Self-improvement can’t just be held for birthday’s, anniversaries, and New Years, it’s something that we should be fully engaged in throughout life.

Life is school. Embrace it.