Do Epic Shit

When we dream about success, we often picture grand achievements and smooth paths to the top. It seems, from a distance, as though success just magically happens at the perfect moment. But here's the reality: there is no straightforward route to success.

The path to success is filled with its own unique challenges, mistakes, and hurdles. And while it might be tempting to view these obstacles in a negative light, they actually serve a vital role. They teach us invaluable lessons that mold our understanding of success and the best strategies to achieve it.

So, how do we define success?

Well, success isn't a term with a single, universal definition. It varies greatly from person to person. For some, success might mean surpassing their own expectations. For others, it might be about breaking through their limits and achieving their goals. What's important is to figure out what success means to you personally and to acknowledge the setbacks you might face along the way.

Now, if you're afraid of failing, know that it's completely normal. The key is not to let this fear hold you back from trying new things or pursuing what's truly important to your success. Remember that facing challenges head-on, no matter how scary they seem, is way better than wondering "what if?" later on. Would you rather live with the regret of not trying or see what happens when you do give it your all? The choice is always yours.

Aside from embracing failures, we should also recognize that achieving success doesn't mean sticking to one profession or role throughout your life. Life is full of opportunities to be anyone you want—be it entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, and more. By embracing the wide range of our talents and interests, we open the door to a life that is more meaningful and fulfilling.

Ultimately, success is about our relationship with ourselves. It's about stepping out of our comfort zones, seizing new opportunities with discipline, and learning from our mistakes. It involves seeking advice and realizing that success and failure are personal perceptions. What truly matters is the journey and how we grow along the way.

Goals are like the destinations we set our sights on, the achievements we dream of reaching in the future. They are the targets we aim for in different parts of our lives, like in our careers or personal growth.

Habits, on the other hand, are the regular practices or routines that we incorporate into our daily lives. These are the small, consistent actions that, over time, shape our lives and who we become. Unlike goals, which focus on what we want to achieve someday, habits are about what we do in the present, every day. It is about "becoming," and this is the core reason why we must prioritize building the right habits over just setting goals.

Prioritizing habits allows us to live more intentionally and become the architects of our own lives. It shifts our focus from external achievements to internal growth, encouraging us to value the process as much as the outcome. Through habits, we not only reach our desired destinations, but also discover the joy in the journey and the growth that comes with it.

Think about a time when you had to make a big life decision. Maybe you were considering a shift in your career, thinking about moving to a different city, or contemplating adopting a new daily routine. Whatever the choice in front of you, it was probably your awareness driving your decision.

Awareness means having a deep understanding of both the world around you and your own inner thoughts and feelings. It's this awareness that lets you connect with your true desires, listen to your gut feelings, and follow the quiet voice of your intuition.

This deep sense of awareness is important because it guides you on the path forward, even when the end point isn't in sight. Take the example of someone debating whether to leave a secure job to venture into starting their own business. Their decision isn't driven by a guarantee of success. Deep down, they know that what they want is the fulfillment that their current role cannot offer. They recognize a need for change, driven by a desire for something more meaningful, and are willing to face the uncertainties that come with such a leap.

By embracing awareness, we accept that every decision we make, especially those shrouded in uncertainty, is a step toward personal growth and learning. It teaches us that doing nothing out of fear of the unknown ultimately leads to feeling stuck. While awareness doesn't remove all risks or promise immediate success, it helps us navigate life's challenges with greater clarity and determination.

Many people start their entrepreneurial journey thinking it will quickly lead them to wealth and freedom. Little did they know that this path is full of risks and obstacles. Being successful as an entrepreneur requires more than just having talent. It involves developing a strong determination to keep going despite the difficulties, coming up with new ideas, and being able to lead others effectively.

At the heart of entrepreneurship is the goal of solving real-world problems in creative ways. They should aim to provide value that positively impacts others. This means not just selling a product or service but making something that genuinely helps people.

To lead successfully in the business world, an entrepreneur needs to remain composed even when things get tough. They must create a supportive atmosphere where everyone trusts each other and feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and suggestions. A good leader also understands the importance of constructive feedback—it's not about pointing out what's wrong but also helping the team improve, grow and thrive together.

Getting a handle on our finances is important. But let's face it, it's often easier said than done. A lot of the time, we stumble over common misconceptions and mistakes about money that end up making our journey to financial freedom more complicated than it needs to be.

So, what are these mistakes?

One major mistake many of us make is probably not appreciating the value of our own time. Think about those hours spent binge-watching series – that's time that could be invested in activities with the potential to boost our financial health! Similarly, we also have a tendency to go out of our way just to save money, like traveling across the city, without considering the opportunity cost of time. We fail to neglect those activities that could have a far greater impact on our financial well-being, like preparing for a salary negotiation.

Another pitfall is the habit of accumulating too much debt, bound by the belief that we'll pay it off with future earnings. At the same time, many of us fail to recognize the full scope of our earning potential. We focus so much on trimming expenses that we miss out on chances to actually increase our income.

When it comes to investing, a lot of us get caught in traps like trying to time the market or jumping into investments out of fear of missing out (FOMO). These strategies are fraught with risk and usually lead to suboptimal financial decisions. Instead, it's better to make consistent, informed investment choices, as they are likely to yield positive outcomes.

Speaking of investments, we need to realize the importance of building our assets early. Assets generate income even when we're not actively working, and the earlier we start investing, the more we can benefit from compounding returns.

Comparing our financial situation to others and chasing money for its own sake are also misguided approaches. Money should be seen as a tool for achieving freedom, not as an end goal. And while taking calculated risks is essential, especially when we're younger and have more time to recover from potential setbacks, it's important to do so with a clear understanding of our financial goals and risk tolerance.

Beyond these common mistakes, there are also myths about money that many of us grow up believing. These include the notion that money is the root of all evil or that wealth can only be achieved through certain paths, like owning a home or changing jobs frequently. These myths can limit our perspective and prevent us from making the best financial decisions.

To really get ahead in the money game, we need to change the way we think about our finances. This means we have to keep learning about how to manage our money better and then put that knowledge into practice. The more we understand, the smarter choices we can make. And with smarter choices comes the chance to move closer to true financial freedom and security.