Too much

Not long ago, I began a 1,000-day journey. I won’t dive into all the details yet, but I’ll say this — it’s pushed me to grow on every level: mentally, physically, and spiritually. I’m deeply grateful to my mentor for suggesting it. Since day one, I’ve immersed myself in articles, motivational videos, and self-reflection, stepping further each day from who I was and closer to who I’m meant to be.

Here are some of the key lessons I’ve learned so far:

1. Don’t take anything personally.
This one’s tough. As someone who feels deeply, I used to take everything to heart. But I started asking myself: What’s the benefit of taking things personally? It never helped — just drained me with overthinking. Letting go of that habit gave me room to focus on what actually matters.

2. Positivity costs more than negativity — but the return is way higher.
It’s easier to wake up and see the worst in the world. But when I began viewing every task — even cleaning the house — as an opportunity to grow instead of a burden, everything changed. I wake up now thinking I get to, instead of I have to. That one shift reshaped my entire mindset.

3. Beat your alarm clock.
Someone told me, “If you can’t beat your alarm, how can you expect to beat temptation?” Facts. Waking up when I say I will is one of the simplest but most powerful forms of self-respect. It builds the discipline needed to tackle the bigger battles.

4. Clean your room. Make your bed.
It sounds basic, but it’s foundational. A clean space creates mental clarity. That small act gives me structure and a win early in the day — and when momentum starts early, it’s easier to keep going strong.

5. Grow quietly — not everything needs applause.
I used to want recognition for everything — reading an article, making content, doing chores. But I’ve learned that growth doesn’t always come with applause, and that’s okay. The moment I started validating myself instead of chasing praise, I felt more grounded and focused.

6. They say not feeling heard can hurt as much as heartbreak.
When I’m not feeling heard, I try to remember that pain — and be the listening force for others. I aim to hold space for people and let them speak freely, without interruption. You’d be surprised how healing that is — for them and for me.

7. Question the lies you tell yourself.
A friend once said, “A lie that isn’t susceptible to criticism becomes reality.” That stopped me in my tracks. I used to feed myself lines like I’m not good enough, I’m not worth it, I’ll fail. I’ve learned to challenge those thoughts. I ask, Is this really true? And if it is — what can I do to change it? That kind of self-reflection is where real growth begins.

8. Take time to work on yourself — before seeking to care for someone else.
My mentor once told me, “Mike, if you don’t know how to manage your emotions and don’t live life doing what you have to do, every woman you meet will end up punishing you — not because she wants to, but because you won’t be able to care for her emotionally, physically, or financially.” That hit like a freight train. It was one of the reasons I paused dating. I’m not hiding from love — I’m building the foundation for it to thrive.

9. Anger, resentment, and fear are a waste of time.
Throughout this journey, I’ve learned that staying angry or resentful is like pouring energy into a hole. It drains me and gives me excuses not to put effort into what I want to change. So I ask myself: Why do I feel this way? Listening to those emotions helps me see they’re only stealing energy I could use for something better. I’ve also learned that a mindset of gratitude gets you far — even in hard situations. Gratitude boosts motivation, but it can be tricky too. It can make you slip back into comfort if you’re not careful. So I use it wisely — as a tool to grow, not a reason to stop.

10. You could earn a billion dollars, and someone will say, “Why didn’t you earn a trillion?”
Some people will only see what you didn’t do. That’s just how life is. But their opinion doesn’t define your journey. What matters is that you know what you’re building and why.

I’m not perfect at living all of this out. Some days I fall short. But I don’t let that break me. I write it down, reflect, adjust, and keep pushing. That’s what this journey’s about — consistency, not perfection.

Don’t spend your life thinking yourself out of doing what will grow you.
Take calculated risks.
Write down your goals.
Break them into steps.
Then get after them — one day, one step at a time.

Thanks for reading. Wishing you peace, strength, and clarity on your own path.