How To Reach New Levels In Life
Has anyone ever said to you in a not-so well-meaning tone, "You've changed!" If so, I hope you took that as a HUGE compliment, because that is exactly what you want to be doing in life, girlfriend (or guy-friend).
Do you agree that there's nothing more annoying than people who sit back expecting everyone to stay the same exact person (like them). Well, duh, of course I changed. I'm not a rock. Wait a minute, even rocks change! Ha!
Sometimes with the pressure to conform to this idea that people have of us, we get caught up in trying to soften ourselves to appeal to those who "know" us.
Oh no ... we don't want to offend anyone by changing. But really, by doing so, we aren't being true to who we are, even when who we are has evolved into someone different - someone better.
What I've learned in my 31 (still newbie) years of life is that I must constantly evolve in order to become the best version of myself.
If I fail to evolve, I fail to grow, and that my friend would mean that I'm just living to die.
Extreme, yes (I can be), but it's so true. I know I don't have all of the answers, but I do know this much is true.
Along the way, you'll discover that by evolving, you will not only develop different needs in life, but you will shed old ones as well. You may outgrow the people that you once surrounded yourself with. Certain environments may not appeal to you anymore. It will trickle down to every area of your life. In some ways, it will take some getting used to, and you'll have to discover yourself again.
I've gone through this process many times and found that it was always a natural progression, never forced. Although it was sometimes uncomfortable, I always moved forward and found it to be an important process in where I am today and in getting me to a more fulfilling place.
On the topic of change, I always like to refer back to one of my favorite scriptures - Ecclesiastes 3:
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens ... "
When you understand this, change will never phase you because you'll know that there is a season for everything and that life is all about change.
Take any successful or accomplished person - who they are now is not the same person as who they were when they first started their journey. They were like any average person trying to navigate life and figure things out.
Naturally, in order to meet the expectations of each new level of success, more was required of them, which they had to develop within themselves.
It took discipline. It took change.
There's no such thing as a successful person who never grew or never changed, and I'm pretty sure that if they stomped their feet and refused to change, they wouldn't be where they are today.
If you're feeling pulled in different directions and battling with the idea that maybe people won't like certain decisions you'll make out of fear that they will question your authenticity, have no fear.
You don't need anyone's approval.
The very journey you're on is yours and yours alone. You're on the right track when you're always pursuing the best version of yourself even if that means confusing a few people along the way.
Recall all of those stories where someone does a complete 360 and turns their life around, then lives to tell the world their amazing story of how they overcame the odds and - you guessed it - changed. It takes a strong-willed person to change and not settle.
There is absolutely no resistance for the person who refuses to ever change, but for the person who proactively decides to constantly change and grow - it takes strength, endurance, and resilience.
Every single day, by developing yourself and demanding more of yourself, you are flexing a different type of muscle and becoming stronger - able to reach new levels and opportunities in life.
The more you grow, the more you succeed.
Reaching new heights in life will be determined by your willingness to grow, so pursue those opportunities that will stretch you.
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Pursue what scares you, head-on.
Another thing is that growth hurts. People think, oh, that person changed. I don't like them anymore. They're a fraud. Um, why? Do they even know how many different experiences it took for that person to get to where they are today?
It's so easy for people to judge what they see instead of empathizing with what a person went through to get to their current position. We usually see the end result of their growth, not the in-between, so it's easy to ignore that where a person is today is a result of something deeper and more difficult than what we are aware of.
It's never too late to become the person you've always wanted to be, and it's certainly never too late to invent a new, better, and upgraded version of yourself, either.
Who cares if people "accept" you, and for the record, you don't want those people in your life anyway. You want to be surrounded by people who support your growth and love you for whatever that may bring.
Some people may not understand you, and that's perfectly okay.
Do you know why? Because people that do understand you will come out of the woodwork, and those are the kind of people you want in your life.
So, where do you stand? Have you changed? Do you want to change?
The best thing about life is new beginnings. Every. Single. Day.
That's actually what makes life so amazing. You can change your mind. Oh yes, and I love to do that. Very very often.
What I'm trying to get at is that you should never feel scared to try something new, be someone new, and explore a different version of yourself. As long as you are being authentically you, that is all that matters at the end of the day. If you're moving in a positive direction, nothing can stop you.
When you pursue new levels in life, it'll call for new versions of yourself - ones that you didn't even know you were capable of.
The only way to really know what you are capable of doing is to step out. And the prerequisite - there is none.
I have learned that even when I didn't feel qualified enough, I made up for it by stepping out in faith.
By doing so, that stretched and grew me so much more than just waiting until I felt qualified, which truthfully, I have never felt 100% ready for anything that I have ever decided to pursue.
When faced with a decision, if it's not urgent, we'll naturally try anything to postpone it to a future date. So, the best thing to do is to act on whatever it is you want to do NOW, even if you don't feel ready.
Once you force yourself to new levels in life, life will demand more out of you and elevate you as well. It's really up to you to take that initial step and show up.
Your willingness shows so much more than your ability, talent, or skill.
Anyone can have all of the above, but if they never show up, it's pointless, right?
I encourage you to see change within yourself as a precursor to success. When you take on that mindset, you will surprise yourself with what you can accomplish when you reach difficult points in your life. Will you cave in or will you meet the challenges head-on and say, you know what, I got this! I will become a better version of myself in order to level up in life and become better than the person I was yesterday.
I hope you enjoyed this post and found it to be encouraging. I look forward to doing more inspirational posts like these because I've always been into self-development, and I believe it's so important to stay motivated and inspired every day. I'm rooting for positive change in you and in your life!
What do you think, and what are your thoughts? I'd love to chat in the comments below!
