You were sure by now you’d be living In Menlo Park working for Facebook, making enough money to buy whatever you wanted, whenever you wanted. You were sure you wouldn’t be sleeping with two dogs and empty sushi containers. Where is that special someone who’s supposed to be beside you? What is going on? Why is this happening? If you can handle it (and I hope and pray that you’re ready), here are 50 mistakes that you should stop making right now if you want to turn your dreams into reality.
1. Living in Denial.
It’s time to grow up and face reality.
2. Avoiding a trip into the real you.
Don’t be afraid to take a good look in the mirror. It’s not as bad as you think. If you look beyond the surface, you will see an awesome side of yourself that you’ve never seen before.
3. Lying to yourself and others.
Admit it — admit everything. Let it all go. If things aren’t working out for you, something needs to change right now.
4. Being untrue to your unique self.
To thine own self be true. Take an honest self-inventory. It’s all the only way you will find your hidden talents, gifts, and abilities.
5. Saying “I want it.”
Ask yourself if you really want it or if you just want to want it. Sometimes you think you want something, but it’s just something your mother, girlfriend or boyfriend thinks you should be getting or doing.
6. Thinking you have to love everything you do.
I’m sorry to tell you, but the hard reality of life is that you have to do things you don’t love, and sometimes you have to do things you hate. How do you think Kevin Durant got good at his game? Do you think he loved every minute he practiced shooting hoops?
7. Making excuses.
You’re right, there are many reasons you shouldn’t change; but how long do you want to go on like this?
8. Avoiding debt.
Ignoring debt collectors does not make them go away. Debt accumulates. Start chipping away at your pile of bills by making small monthly payments.
9. Complaining
If you stop complaining, you’ll be able to see that you’ve got a lot to be thankful for. If you flip the switch on your negative outlook, you will begin to see the good things in your life. Complaining people are not happy people.
10. Over-sharing your life on Instagram.
The world does not need to see everything you eat or every time you get in your car. Dignify yourself. Share the good stuff.
11. Putting your drinking pictures on Facebook.
Even though your boss isn’t your Facebook “friend,” she might be friends with your friends and know the real reason you called in sick to work. Be careful what you make public. Think about who might see what you post.
12. Saying “it’s too hard.”
This is a sabotage statement. The more you say it, the less you will accomplish. Try saying, “it’s going to be hard, but I’m going to push my way through the rough spots.”
13. Being a victim.
“Poor me” doesn’t cut it anymore. Take action to change your perspective. This will change your life.
14. Doubting your abilities.
Develop a new “I can handle this” attitude. You’ll be surprised when you find talents you didn’t know you had.
15. Calling your mother with every little problem you have.
Be resourceful. Google it. All the answers you need are there; if not, you are smart enough to figure it out. Save the big drama for your mama. You can manage the small stuff.
16. Texting everything.
Once in awhile, pick up the phone and let someone hear the sweet sound of your voice.
17. Thinking you’re not good enough.
You are capable of so much more. Think of the times when your strengths and talents shined. Everyone has them. Find yours.
18. Blaming your parents.
Yes, they made mistakes, but they did the best they knew how at the time. They were 20-somethings once, and also made mistakes.
19. Living week-to-week financially.
Get off your butt and find a second job. If you want to stay home all day, then start a money-making blog or online business. The internet is a goldmine open to everyone.
20. Being lazy.
Get out of bed and shut off the TV. Work harder. You can never tell where your passion might be hiding. A job at the local bistro could inspire you to go to France for cooking school. One day, you can have a business of your own.
21. Buying things you can’t afford.
Budgeting is a helpful skill that will stabilize you for the rest of your life. Ask yourself, “do I really need this? Can I afford this right now?”
22. Drinking during the week.
Parties are for weekends. Curb your alcohol appetite. It might be interfering with your ability to wake up on time the next morning.
23. Sticking out your tongue when you take a picture.
Unless you are licking a lollipop at Disneyland, keep your tongue in your mouth. It’s not your best look.
24. Saying “I don’t care.”
You really do care — you just don’t want to get upset if things don’t work out for you.
25. Avoiding reality.
How long can you keep hiding from it? Bills need to be paid. Jobs need to be found. (Unless you’re willing to live without water, electricity or a cell phone.)
26. I can’t go back to school — I have no money.
This is one thing your parents will be happy to help you with. If they say no, bartend.
27. Taking in another animal.
Do you really have the money to take care of another pet? It needs shots, flea medicine and grooming. Can you afford that?
28. Eating out every night.
It’s expensive and fattening. Learn to cook. It’s fun, and homemade food is much healthier than smothered cheeseburgers and beer. Invite your friends over for dinner.
29. Saying “I’m bored.”
Learn a new language. Go to they gym. Ride your bike.
30. Watching a full season of Game of Thrones and Dr. Who.
Sure, they’re awesome — but break it up into segments.
31. Asking your parents for money.
If you don’t have enough, earn more.
32. Remembering your past failures.
We’ve all got them. Mistakes are the best teachers.
33. Thinking if you get knocked down you won’t get back up.
You are resilient. You’re a survivor. Pick yourself up and keep moving forward.
34. Being afraid.
FEAR= False expectations appearing real. Fear is not reality; it’s all in your head.
35. Making excuses.
Develop a no more excuses frame of mind. Your dog ate your homework when you were in fifth grade, but the time has come to accept responsibility and speak the truth.
36. Quitting everything you start.
Fight through the yuck. When times get tough, just get tougher.
37. Procrastinating.
The pressure of procrastination does help you get things done, but it’s also stressing you out. Be prepared.
38. Gaming.
Games are programmed so that you become addicted to them.
39. Saying “I don’t feel like it.”
That worked when you were five, but it doesn’t work anymore.
40. Squashing your dreams.
Make them real. Envision them, then go after them.
41. Feeling overwhelmed.
Little baby steps get you to your goal. Seeing how high a mountain is, can definitely keep you from climbing it.
42. Expressing every emotion you feel.
Chill out. Breathe in and slow down before the words come flying out of your mouth. Think before you speak.
43. Being narcissistic.
Everything isn’t about you. Think of others.
44. Eating unhealthy foods.
You’ll be shocked at how great you’ll feel afterwards. You won’t run to the bathroom or fall asleep.
45. Making excuses for not going to the gym.
You are tired. Your friends call you to go out. You just want to hang on the couch and space out. Getting to the gym is the hard part, but it’s so worth it when you can easily zip up your tight jeans.
46. Comparing yourself to others.
There are people better than you. There are also people whose lives are much worse than yours. Check out thebadassproject.com if you want to compare yourself to someone.
47. Blaming your genetics.
Ok, so maybe your father was an alcoholic — that doesn’t mean you have to be one. It means you have to stay on guard. You cannot drink. Have a coke, and no one will know the difference. Who cares if they do?
48. Worrying about what other people think.
Do you really know what other people are thinking? Own your choices. Listen to your inner voice. If it’s wrong? Oh well, you are now smarter and stronger.
49. Living in the past.
It’s over, done. What happened happened, and you can’t change it. Learn from it and then throw it in the trash.
50. Believing this is who you are.
It’s not. These are simply bad habits that you’ve gotten used to. Replace them with good habits. Stop these mistakes, and you will be as awesome as your mother thinks you are.
