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Written by Michael Weaver | Follow me on Twitter | Free updates via Email.

“People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can’t find them make them.” -George Bernard Shaw

I am now 27. One more year is behind me with another one smack dab in front of me. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about personal development in general, and more specifically how it has impacted my life in the last year or so. I began reading several books on the subject and put myself in an environment where I was able to meet people with similar ambitions and interests. I asked myself questions about where I wanted to go in life – laid a foundation and now I know that I have momentum on my side. Before I get on with talking about building momentum for yourself – I want to touch on the subject of personal development first.

I Can Write About Personal Development – Because I Said So.

So, you might ask what qualifies me to write about PD, and the answer to that question is absolutely nothing. I do it, practice it, and believe in it – as it has the power to change my life – and yours. But, again, if you want to know why I’m qualified to write about it I can’t really tell you anything special. By no means am I living a perfect life or doing exactly what I want to be doing – I am in debt (student loans ya know), I have my bad days here and there, and my life is a work in progress. So am I technically qualified? Probably not. But can I offer you value? Definitely. There are so many websites out there that give general advice about life, productivity, building personal and financial wealth, etc. – that it’s sometimes tough to discern what’s real and what’s garbage. I’ve been writing for six months or so – and while my reflections and writings have value – you may not feel like you know the person that it’s coming from. My goal now, and moving forward – is to connect with you on more of a personal level.

I definitely don’t write about PD because I think I am better than you or have more knowledge on ‘how to live a better life’. Soon on F.i.T. (I need to get around to it!), I’ll be adding a tagline somewhere near the top of the page that states “Getting better at living YOUR life – one day at a time.” That’s my goal – and I’m sure you won’t argue that in some way – you have the same goals in your life.

You and I both understand that every person has a unique story – your life is different than mine – in probably thousands and thousands of ways. You are motivated to better your life and seek growth for different reasons than I am. Our dreams aren’t the same either. Uniqueness and individuality is a beautiful thing. But there is a common thread for each and every one of us – and it’s why PD can become a positive catalyst and difference maker for many and something that once begins – never stops. When you embark on a mission – like “getting better at living YOUR life – one day at a time” – you naturally gain momentum one day at a time. Before you know it, you’re growing, you’re vision becomes clearer, and it’s something that can’t be stopped

Create Your Own Momentum and Run With It

Momentum. I need it and so do you. I believe that momentum is often present, but not so much recognized by the beholder. Have you ever began a project, a job, or anything that required you to start at ground zero – from the very bottom? I bet you have. I know I have. This blog is a perfect example. The first day I decided to start a blog, I went to the library and began learning about programming languages. I had no idea there were amazing blogging tools out there like WordPress. But I began to lay a foundation - and it lead to questions, I sought out information, and learned bits of information everyday. Now, just half a year later, I’ve built something that I’m proud of – something that is now part of my overall vision of where I’m taking my life. Personal development had it’s part in setting my mentality as I set my sights on building a website. Now, there is no quit in me – and PD is a big reason for that. The more books I read, articles I write, and mornings that I reflect on my life and the direction it’s moving – the more momentum I gain.

The point is that you have to simply get started, now – on something. Momentum will always be nonexistent if you aren’t taking consistent action. I can’t stress enough how important it is to get started. Even if it’s simply a matter of putting your thoughts, goals, frustrations, etc. on paper. That’s progress, that’s a step forward, and at the end of the day – that’s a little bit of momentum. And if you nurture that momentum by giving it as much attention that your time and lifestyle allows for – well, you’re going to take a look back some months down the road and realize just how far you’ve came along in a short period of time.

Do It Your Way – You Don’t Have to Conform to the Norm

While I have no problem telling you that I am not qualified, nor am I a recognized expert on the subject of personal development – I’ll tell you that I’m going to do it anyway. Here’s why. I believe that just about anybody, at any stage in life, can take value and learn from someone that is on a unique mission of their own – one created and manifested from their heart. So I say that I’m not qualified, but my mission is to get better at living MY life – one day at a time – and my mission will bear information that I can share along the way that will translate into something you can learn from.

I’m a firm believer, that in order to start anything of great substance and value, it must be built upon a solid foundation that leverages the power of momentum. I don’t need to reach thousands and thousands – while I certainly wouldn’t turn that many readers down – I want to be a leader and an example for my followers that feel the same way I do about life, embarking on a mission and personal development. I write with people like my brother in mind – who hasn’t really found what he truly wants to do with his life yet – but is smart and people are attracted to his personality like a freakin’ magnet. I know that one-day he is going to do something great.

Part of my goal on F.i.T. – is to help as many people as I can and share my journey. And all it might take for you to get started on your mission is some initial momentum – a start. Isn’t it almost funny how we often let easy things get in way of our mission – then before you know it your momentum, if you had any, goes splat on the concrete! There are a lot of reasons why we let momentum die – lack of confidence, a phone call, giving up too way way to soon, not connecting with the right people, lack of monetary resources, etc. – the list most certainly goes on. But a mission is not something that dies easily – and if you consider yourself to be on a mission, if you wake up and stare at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself about your mission – it’s a whole lot harder to let things get in the way and squash your momentum.

The Trap

Our belief system is so often our greatest obstacle – a trap that we get ourselves into and usually we don’t even know it. You notice it a lot when you offer up ideas to someone that is in one life-state, but they desire to have another. The Trap, as I like to call it, is the ultimate killer of creativity and resourcefulness. But if you don’t believe you can do something – you have no chance. And that’s the bottom line.

I want my brother to start his own business. As I mentioned before, his personality and like-ability is a gem, a strength that would allow him to excel at a particular small business I’ve suggested that he start. I’m not calling him out (ok maybe a little bit!), but he knows it’s all good-natured and with good intention. I could use a few other people that I am close to as examples as well. The Trap usually likes to respond with the same type of answers when presented with a suggested opportunity. They all start with a little bit of…”I can’t because..”, “I don’t have..”, “But, the economy..”, “What if I start and..”. Notice a bit of a trend? Each and every response is a limiting belief. Now, I’m not suggesting that my brother drops everything and risks a loss of income to run off and start a business. I’m suggesting that he explores it, builds a foundation, and sees where his momentum takes him.

Your Mission Will be a Collective Effort

Movements, successful businesses, and well-executed plans are not conducted alone. It’s important to realize that the most successful people didn’t get successful by going at it alone. As a generality, people love helping, advising, and seeing other people find their unique successes in life. It becomes an amazing thing. If you get started on a mission – seek the help of others. I promise, you’ll be amazed at how many people are interested in helping you get to where you want to go. A common and overused phrase I hear all the time is “let’s not reinvent the wheel here.” While your mission is unique – in theory it’s been done before a thousand times. Instead of spending valuable time trying to figure everything out for yourself, extend yourself and seek the help of others. Before you know it, you are going to have a number of people that are willing to go to bat for you.

Months ago, I was reluctant to share my aspirations for this blog and how I see it playing into my future. Flat out, I’d love to be a full-time writer five years down the road. I love to travel, inspire others, experience success, immerse myself in other cultures, meet new people – and I can do all of these things if I am a full-time writer. That sounded pretty silly to me at first – so I kept those thoughts to myself. Now, after connecting with like-minded people both on and offline, it seems like much more of a reality that could come to fruition five years down the road.

Even if you don’t have a clue what your unique mission might be – share the tiniest inclinations of what you think it might be with people around you. Even if you think it might sound silly – it’s not. And if you start taking consistent action – why you might just be surprised how quickly those little inclinations and bits of thought turn into something you couldn’t have imagined.

Don’t forget that the ultimate source of energy and change lies within ourselves.

—
Image by wili.

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