I don’t know how many dirty dishes I have washed in my life, but I know it’s well into the thousands.

Washing dishes (and cleaning the counters and stove, and sweeping the floor) was one of the first chores I ever had. It was also one of the first tasks that I didn’t enjoy doing, but I did it consistently.

Being tasked with washing dishes helped me with cleanliness, but also with mental toughness. There were many nights when the last thing I wanted to do was wash dishes, but I still did it. I had a responsibility, and I had to do it. This has helped me achieve many things in life.

No matter what you’re pursuing, there will be days when you don’t have as much energy or simply don’t want to do what you have to do. Those are the days you should appreciate the most. Those are the days that will build your character.

They will show you what you can still do even when you don’t want to. It will help build that grit and resilience. Every night that I did not feel like doing the dishes but still did them, the end result was happiness. I would be proud that I accomplished a goal, and I would also have peace of mind, knowing I wouldn’t be punished for skipping my dishwashing duties.

So the next task that you’re avoiding or dreading, think about the positive impact it will have on you when you follow through and do what needs to be done.

One major lifestyle change can significantly impact your life, either for the better or for the worse.

It is up to us to choose which changes will enhance our lives and which will hinder our progress.

Sometimes you just gotta wake up, pray, and choose to have a good day.

Before any problem or situation can deter your day, choose to have a good day. Many times, we actually wake up and choose to have a bad day. We have negative attitudes or already possess negative predetermined outlooks on what’s to happen in certain situations.

So, choose to have a good day, then handle everything that happens that day with a positive attitude. It’s something so simple that can positively affect your happiness.

When we are first born, we come into this world with immense potential already within us, and we are fully aware of it.

A baby may weigh just a few pounds and measure only a few inches, but we know that they have the capacity to grow and develop over the years, eventually reaching adulthood.

Although they lack the ability to talk and walk, among other things, we know they possess the potential to acquire these skills. That’s why we closely monitor their developmental milestones and do whatever it takes to nurture their growth and help them reach their full potential.

However, at some point along the journey, things change. People start telling us what we can’t do, what’s impossible. The praise and encouragement for achieving milestones gradually fade away. Unfortunately, we begin to internalize these messages and believe them.

Yet the truth remains: we are all still like babies, with untapped potential residing within us. There are countless things we can continue to learn and achieve. There is always room for personal growth.

While it may be that not as many people around you that believe in you, or perhaps there never were, it’s important to remember that success is still possible. We were all designed to thrive, and this potential remains true for each and every one of us until our final days.

Therefore, keep striving, keep progressing. You might be crawling in certain aspects of your life, but with belief, hard work, and dedication, you’ll be walking confidently in no time.

What is possible and what is comfortable are two different things.

For me, I had to step out of my comfort zone to discover what is truly achievable. I had to work hard, often in the early morning, and compete against other elite athletes to understand the potential of my body. That has now become the standard. I can recognize when I’m in my comfort zone versus when I’m truly giving it my all.

I had to take numerous classes, and even more in college, to earn my high school and college degrees. It would have been easier to drop out and never pursue higher education. Any success I have achieved has come from pushing beyond my comfort zone. Now, I actively seek opportunities to challenge myself.

So, what you may perceive as impossible might actually be possible if you’re willing to step out of your comfort zone for a while.

When embarking on a new endeavor, setting a new goal, or breaking a bad habit, the hardest day is day one—the day when you simply start.

Then day two arrives, which may also pose challenges.

As the days pass and you remain consistent, things gradually become easier. You begin to realize that you could have started this new endeavor a long time ago. You start recognizing your capabilities and that some actions can be done effortlessly, without excessive contemplation.

However, the journey won’t always remain easy. It is said that around the 21st day of engaging in a particular behavior or habit, it can become easier to revert back to old patterns or relapse.

Certain events in your life might trigger a desire to return to your previous ways. You might think that you have accomplished so much that you can afford to temporarily embrace your old habits.

Yet, it’s important to remember that forming new habits takes time and effort. There may be a period of vulnerability where it becomes tempting to return to previous behaviors. It’s crucial to stay vigilant and maintain focus during this critical period to avoid relapse.

Once you successfully navigate through the challenges, emotions, and days that lie ahead, you will find yourself in a much better position. You will realize that it is possible to make permanent and impactful changes in your life. So, whether today marks day one, day 21, or day 300, keep going. You got this.

Oscar Wilde once said, “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”

It’s okay to enjoy things in a balanced way. Sometimes, it’s good to indulge in treats or engage in enjoyable activities. However, it’s also important to know when to stop or take a break. Finding a balance between enjoyment and responsibility is key.

Many of our problems arise from excessive indulgence rather than moderation. By changing your worst habit from frequent to moderate, you will soon begin to see significant changes in your life. Additionally, there are things we can change from doing moderately to not at all.