If You're Not Growing You're Dying

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Time flew by in the blink of an eye; it's hard to believe that 5 years went by so quickly.

Back then, I hated my life. I hated waking up in the morning, driving to work, serving people’s food with a fake smile on my face just so I can get more tips 💵

I was lost, I was confused, it felt like I had nowhere to go. I remember standing in the kitchen asking my co-worker: “How do people afford to eat out every day, man?”

Back then, I was so broke. I made enough to live in a small apartment in the ghetto (I heard gunshots at least once a week). I made enough to fulfilled my diet of instant noodles, eggs, and soy milk.

One car repair and my world would have come crashing down.

Which… it did. My car took a sh!t, clutch broke down completely. The cheapest repair shop wanted $800 to get it fixed.

“Would you be okay with taking 18 dollars and 67 cents?”, I asked.

I’m now stuck at home, can’t afford a car repair, can’t go to work → no income. Life’s great!

I’m pretty sure that incident had given me PTSD. I hate owning cars, I hate how that’s the only way to commute for most Americans.

Anyway, I’m steering off course here. Let’s get back on track.

I’m in a much much better place now. I got out, I’m no longer lost, I have a clear path of where I want to go, and I know how to get there.

How did I do it, you asked? It all started with a mindset. It’s called

The Kaizen Mindset

A precise way to define this would be “continuous self-development”. It’s an internal process that happens within your own mind.

You see, I was stuck in a life that I didn’t ask for, lack the clarity and direction in life, battling with the negative thoughts and self-doubt.

Until that moment when I decided that I want to change, I want improvement in my life. And the only thing I could do is to improve myself.

I’m sharing this with you because I wouldn’t want you to hate your life. I wouldn’t want you to hate yourself in the future, either.

What I want, is for you to:

• Believe in yourself

• Discover new things about yourself

• Get better at doing different things

• Have amazing relationships with others

• Become stronger to fight through tough times

• Feel proud and satisfied with yourself.

Of course, it wasn’t an easy journey for me. 5 years man, can you eat instant ramen every day for 5 years?

I’m sure it won’t take you that long (because you subscribed to this newsletter and receive all my insights every Thursday)

Be aware that on your journey of self-improvement, there will be road blocks and potholes:

• Unmotivated days

• Fear of making mistakes

• “I’ll do it tomorrow” talk

• Your comfort zone will entrap you

• Negative thoughts and self-doubts

• Overwhelmed, and think this is too hard

• Caring too much about what others think

• You feel like you can’t change or get better at things

With that out of the way, are you ready to remodel your life?

Here are 10 steps, let's go:

1. Believe in yourself

   Believe that you can get better. Daily affirmation in front of the mirror might sound crazy, but it works.

2. Set goals

   Decide what you want to improve, and set small, achievable goals. Choose a specific skill you want to improve, let’s say Sales, and set a goal to practice daily (Hop on x number of calls every day for example)

   

   ABC baby!

3. Take action

   Do things that help you improve, little by little.

   Start learning by consuming content related to your skill. YouTube is your best friend, reading books, or taking online courses.

4. Learn from your mistakes

   Mistakes are opportunities to learn and grow, so don’t be afraid of them.

5. Stay positive

   Surround yourself with supportive friends and family who encourage and motivate you. Share your progress with them and seek their positive feedback.

6. Stay motivated

   Find ways to stay excited and focused on your goals.

7. Take care of yourself

   Engage in physical exercise, eat nutritious meals, get enough sleep, and practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation to keep your mind and body healthy.

8. Keep trying

   Even when faced with challenges or setbacks, persevere and keep going. Remind yourself that progress takes time and effort. Remind yourself why you are doing this.

9. Celebrate progress

   Notice and be proud of how far you’ve come. Acknowledge and appreciate your small achievements along the way. Treat yourself to something you enjoy, like a favorite snack, as a reward for your efforts.

10. Keep learning

    Keep trying new things and learning new skills. Continuously seek opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills. Try new hobbies, explore different subjects, or take on new projects that push you out of your comfort zone.

Remember, the path of self-improvement is an ongoing adventure filled with growth, learning, and exciting possibilities.

Embrace the journey, stay committed to your goals, and never stop exploring the incredible potential within you.

The power to shape your life and become the person you aspire to be lies in your hands.

So, go forth with determination, resilience, and an unwavering belief in your ability to create a brighter and more fulfilling future.

TLDR:

1/ Believe in yourself
2/ Set goals
3/ Take action
4/ Learn from your mistakes
5/ Stay positive
6/ Stay motivated
7/ Take care of yourself
8/ Keep trying
9/ Celebrate progress
10/ Keep learning

Alrighty, you are all set.

If you need daily motivation, you can follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Justin “i hate cars” Nguyen

P.S: Mediocrity is the result of settling for less than you're capable of. Aim higher, push harder, and refuse to accept anything less than excellence.

P.P.S.: If you're diggin' my newsletter, why not share it with your friends? We can spread the inspiration and help more people take control over their lives, and have enough saving to fix a car repair.

Appreciate you being part of The Progress Project!