Motivation

Time is Yours: No Calendar Needed for Change

Anything I do today, I regard as urgent.

Myles Munroe once said, “The most common gift that God ever gave any human is TIME.” We all come in different shapes, sizes, and colors, but one thing we all have in common is time. What we are and what we become depends on how we use our time.

This always comes to mind when the new year arrives. We often see it as a fresh start—leaving certain things behind and setting new goals for the year ahead. Some of us make vision boards and craft New Year’s resolutions. These practices can be helpful, but here’s the thing: we can’t control the passage of time. What we can control is how we structure and experience it. You don’t need to follow the Gregorian calendar to take action.

Your dreams and purpose aren’t bound by a calendar. Just because it’s a new year doesn’t mean you’ll automatically have the energy, mindset, or drive to achieve those goals. In fact, you might not have new goals at all. Real change takes deliberate effort, and while the start of a new year might give some people the boost they need, eventually you want to reach a point where no calendar controls when you take action.

One of my favorite quotes is, “The future of the future is the present.” Whether it’s January 1st or July 32nd, when you decide what your future should look like, start working toward it right then and there. You don’t need to wait for a special date on the calendar.

That’s the magic of time: it can’t be stopped, but it can be controlled. Take full control of your time and your life.

So, as we enter this new year, remember: time is in your hands. Make 2025 a year that feels like five years of growth.

Happy New Year!

Motivation

Reflections on 500 Days of Blogging: A Journey of Persistence and Growth

Philippians 4:13

Today marks my 500th consecutive blog post. Time really does fly.

I’m proud to have written a blog for 500 consecutive days. There aren’t many things in the last two years that I have done consecutively for that long.

This has shown me that I can do whatever I put my mind to. It has shown me that writing daily, reading daily, or even creating daily is very possible.

In the last 500 days, I’ve experienced ups and downs, deaths and rebirths, triumphs and failures. Through it all, I posted a blog no matter what.

Persistence and resilience do wonders. I know that if I can write a blog for 500 straight days, I can do many other things that I enjoy daily. So that’s what I will do.

I felt like 500 was a good number to stop my streak at. I will continue to post blogs, but they will be more sparingly. They also may be longer at times, consist of photography, and even some will be in essay form.

I’m going to use this 500-day energy for something even bigger. I’ll revisit my 500 blog posts as personal reminders. Each post is like I’m talking to a future version of myself. Or maybe even a future version of you, whoever is reading this.

If you have any ideas of what you’d like from me, I’m all ears. I like new perspectives and new challenges. If you’ve read a blog or two along the way, I appreciate it. The positive feedback I have gotten is what has really fueled me. No matter what I do in life, my intentions will always be to inspire, be a positive influence, and have fun.

Here’s to new endeavors and opportunities.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Follow Through: Turning Plans into Action

Things may not be as bad or as complicated as you think. Often, it’s just about following through.

You may have created the business plan, workout plan, or meal plan, but perhaps you just haven’t followed through with it yet.

Don’t underestimate all of the effort you already put into creating the plan. Don’t let doubt, laziness, or any other counterproductive thoughts sink in.

Follow through.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Unlikely Motivation

It’s possible to get motivated by the unmotivated.

One can gain ambition from those who lack it.

You may see someone who lacks motivation or ambition and realize that’s not you, or how you want to look or act. That can be the impetus to push you even more toward whatever you consider success.

Embrace this perspective, and let it drive you toward your goals.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Embracing Innate Knowledge

We instinctively learn our mother tongue, or native language, through a process called language acquisition. We learn through exposure to language in our environments.

I think we instinctively learn many other things besides language. There’s a good chance that you’re knowledgeable about something that you may not realize. This knowledge can help you in any area of life.

Don’t underestimate what you know and how it can be beneficial in many areas of your life.

Embrace your innate knowledge and use it to your advantage.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Inspired Growth

The motivational speaker Jim Rohn often said, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

This means that your character and behavior are heavily influenced by the people you interact with most frequently.

I agree.

One of the five people I spend most of my time with is my baby daughter. Before having kids, I underestimated how much they can positively influence you.

All kids are constantly learning. They learn and develop daily. They have a natural urge to learn, are eager to show what they’ve learned, and are proud of themselves when they accomplish a new goal.

So, being around my daughter makes me want to do the same as her. I want to learn daily. I want to constantly grow. I want to enjoy myself in whatever I do. I want to be proud of the things I accomplish, and so on and so forth.

The cool thing about being around the right individuals is that you will both grow from each other. When your purpose or energy aligns with those around you, things become much easier and more enjoyable.

Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be the best version of yourself, whether that’s mentors, friends, colleagues, or, if you’re lucky, your wife and daughter.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Uncovering Hidden Dirt

A floor may look clean until you sweep it and notice all the things that were on the ground. The floor may look clean after sweeping it, but if you mop it, you’ll realize there was still a lot of dirt to clean.

Just like cleaning a floor, sometimes the true extent of a problem is only revealed after we put in the extra effort to address it thoroughly.

Remember to always strive for completeness in your tasks and endeavors.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Commitment Unleashed

When you truly commit to achieving something, your thoughts and actions will soon reflect that commitment.

Willpower is always needed in life, but it becomes stronger when you have clear intentions and goals.

It’s harder to drift when you know exactly where you’re going. Stay focused on your goals, and let your commitment guide you to success.

Clarity in purpose paves the way for unwavering determination. Embrace your resolve and watch how it shapes your journey towards your aspirations.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Embracing Empathy: The Heart of Understanding

Empathy is so crucial in life.

It’s something that we must give to others and something that we should want to receive.

Empathy is needed to get results and for progression, no matter the situation.

I find warmth in empathy. It’s good to feel understood, as opposed to feeling sympathy.

In a world that can be cold and indifferent, empathy serves as a beacon of connection and understanding, enriching both the giver and the receiver. Let us continue to cultivate empathy in our interactions, creating a more compassionate and harmonious environment for all.

Motivation, Random Thoughts

Consequential Actions

Every single one of our actions matters. The results of our actions are often life or death, sometimes instant, sometimes delayed.

Let us be mindful of our choices, for they shape our present and future. Every decision we make has the potential to make a significant impact on our lives and the lives of others.