4

Your future self depends on 4 things. What you believe, what you think, what you do and who you hang out with. There is no getting around it. All play equal parts in your future. You must decide each day, what your future will look like. 

There are so many examples I could give from providing mental health services over the past 35 years. What is interesting is, it is never too late. Some of us get it early on, most of us do not. And sadly, some never do. But here's the thing. I don't know anyone who is successful who wasn't tuned into the 4.

Your belief system is a big one. We must first believe it is possible, in order to have the motivation to go after it. Fuck this "if it is meant to be, it will be" shit. You have a say. You also have the ability. You may need to up your skill-set. But if it's important to you, you will invest the time. 

How do you know if you have the right mind game? It's all about that inner monolog. Is adversity a challenge, or is it a curse? I am not a big fan of adversity, but I in no way fear it. I didn't spend 20 years as a crisis counselor because I liked calm. That said, bad days will come...for all of us. It is what we do in the mist of the storm that defines us. 

Routine. We are what we repeatedly do. So make sure it is healthy. Just last week, I was having one of those weeks. You know, when everything is off. On this particular day, I was getting my ass handed to me. I finished with an early appointment and thought " I am no good to myself, let alone anyone else". I pulled into a diner. I was already behind schedule, so I thought, what's another half hour. I sat in silence while eating my breakfast. I was able to reset and refocus. It was an affirmation to self. It was also great awareness that I was on pace to collapse. Just 30 minutes, turned my whole week around. 

The last piece is your network. Your future depends on your circle. The conversation is different when you sit with the motivated and inspiring. This doesn't mean that you cannot associate with those who don't. Just don't set up a tent and live there. You ever notice why some families never out grow their generational curses? Because they didn't expand their circle. It doesn't make you a bad person for wanting to live up to your full potential. Never let anyone {including family} keep you from your destiny. 

4. Because your destiny is within reach.