Whatever You’re Doing, It’s Not Enough

Stop lying to yourself.

It’s time to stop being surprised or sad or angry when we fail. We know deep down that we haven’t prepared properly.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve buried the obvious truth that I didn’t prepare enough for the moment. I know that my failure was a lack of preparation.

And I have the audacity to be furious or depressed when I fail?

What was I to expect? Something for nothing?

You know what’s worse? I know how upset I will get if I fail, and I still don’t do what I need to do to ensure greater success.

Maybe it comes from our ego. Though we may not realize it, most of us believe things are just going to come our way. Maybe you don’t, which is even more insane!

You’re aware that you don’t deserve anything you don’t work for.

You’re aware you will be upset if you fail.

You’re aware of both of these things, but you still don’t work hard enough.

What is wrong with us?

Most of us believe we deserve something for nothing.

Most of us believe we deserve something for a little work.

Most of us believe we deserve something for even a lot of hard work.

YOU. AREN’T. GUARANTEED. ANYTHING.

“A lot of work” doesn’t matter if it isn’t the right kind.

“A lot of work” doesn’t matter if it isn’t smart.

“A lot of work” doesn’t matter if it still wasn’t enough. Maybe you think you worked hard. Maybe you think it was enough, but it wasn’t.

It doesn’t matter how hard, smart, or long the work is. Consider this: it may not be enough. The only way you can do something about it is to give up or do better, but please don’t waste your time being depressed for failing at something you didn’t do enough work for.

Most of our goals and dreams are too ambitious for the work we put toward them. If you want to achieve that high of a goal (I know I do), it will require a lot more.

Understand this: You don’t deserve anything that you don’t work for.

Stop being surprised that you failed. You know exactly why. You already know what you should’ve done, you already know what to do, and you did exactly not that.

Stop making excuses for yourself.

Stop feeling sorry for yourself.

Just…stop.

I’m not just talking to you all. I’m talking to myself as well.

Get hard and get after it.

That’s it.

Life isn’t magic. This isn’t rocket science.

Don’t be oblivious to this: You can work hard enough and still fail.

Ask yourself this: Will it have been worth it?

Know this: Success isn’t guaranteed, but doing nothing certainly guarantees nothing.

We are all capable, and that’s all that matters.

The more you work, the greater your chances.

Life is about improving your chances.

Chance is the only thing that’s certain. And death. And choice. Maybe there are more certain things out there, sure, but these are important.

You can choose to increase your chances or you can die with the regret of having not chosen to follow your dreams or believe you had a chance in the first place.

You may just be amongst those amazing people who actualize their wildest dreams.

Stop living life like you’re so oblivious as to why your failures happened.

Own them. You know it was on you.

No one can do this for you. Be your own hero.

And you know what? Maybe that’s the problem.

But hey, that’s how it is. Just accept it.

You’re the one who wants this, after all.

…or do you?