Breaking the Vicious Cycle: How to Stop Sleepwalking and Start Living

"The secret of happiness is freedom, the secret of freedom is courage." — Carrie Jones

The Illusion of Success

Now my life looks almost perfect. I'm that guy from Miami with a balanced lifestyle, a great fitness routine, and a healthy diet. If you saw me, you might think I'm living out a motivational video, that I've achieved everything one could wish for. But rewind just one year, and my reality was completely different.

I was and am an ambitious guy, always full of energy and laser-focused on success. I genuinely believed I could conquer the world. But despite my drive, my life often felt like a chaotic dream, an endless cycle of chasing goals that always seemed just out of reach. The uncertainty was draining my strength, holding me back from reaching my full potential.

It's easy to assume that only people who aren't "successful enough" can be unhappy. But the truth is, sometimes simply living within the confines of your own beliefs, fears, and doubts can leave you feeling empty inside, even if everything looks great on the surface.

The Wake-Up Call

My turning point happened while I was studying at the MBA (Mohyla Business Academy). We were debating whether leaders should focus on developing themselves first or their companies. Our homework was to reflect on our current situation, goals, and obstacles.

That simple exercise was the catalyst for change. Seeing my life laid out on paper was a serious wake-up call. I realized I was giving too much of myself to others, neglecting my own needs in the process. My self-imposed limitations and fears were holding me back. At that moment, I had a profound realization: "It's time for me to move forward."?

I decided then and there to find true freedom.

I used to have a bad habit of pouring my energy, time, and resources into others. Not because I had a lot to give, but because I was trying to fill the emptiness inside myself. But I've since figured out that trying to do good things when you're running on empty yourself usually doesn't end well. The path to real abundance, I've learned, starts with working on your own personal growth and well-being.

Taking Control of My Life

Leaving everything familiar behind and starting fresh was a big decision for me. It wasn't an easy choice - I was plagued by doubts. I had always relied on others, so the idea of being completely independent and focusing solely on myself was pretty daunting.

But in my new reality, those worries just melted away. I discovered my own self-sufficiency. I didn't need anyone else to maintain my emotional and psychological well-being. I learned that fear is often much bigger in our heads than in reality!

One key lesson I've taken from all this: avoid uncertainty at all costs. It drains your resources and leads nowhere. Making a decision, any decision, is better than being stuck in limbo. If you want to succeed, you need to be clear about what you want in every part of your life.

The Power of Environment

How long do you think it took me to get used to my new life? No time at all! Our environment has a profound impact on our decisions and actions. Being open to change and staying flexible are the true secrets to success.

Having people around you who are on the same wavelength is also important. Your circle should include individuals at different stages of their journey: those who can learn from you, those who are your equals, and those who inspire you to grow. But be careful of those people who always seem to suck the life out of you.

Here's another important principle: truly harmonious relationships can only exist between two whole, self-sufficient individuals. If your partner can reach 90% of their potential without you, and you provide the remaining 10%, there's an imbalance. True partnership occurs when both people are capable of achieving 100% of their potential independently but choose to grow together.

A Message to My Past Self

If I could go back in time, I'd tell my younger self: "Take action! Don't get caught up in overanalyzing. Break the vicious cycle: stop sleepwalking and start truly living. Enjoy every moment." Even the tiniest step forward is better than remaining stagnant.

Consistency and discipline are key - pushing through will help you overcome any challenge. Don't expect overnight success, and don't get discouraged if progress seems slow. Nothing worthwhile is built in a day.

And always remember - your freedom is in your own hands. You don't need to search for it elsewhere. It's been within you all along, and you're just one thought, one step, one decision away from fully claiming it. Freedom is a choice you make for yourself.

"Man is free at the moment he wishes to be." — Voltaire

In the next part, I'll open up about another life-changing experience: when I was wrongly diagnosed with cancer. It made me totally rethink my priorities and sped up my personal transformation. More on that soon.

With warmth and a desire to share my experience, and to hear your experience in return, my dear readers,?

Michael