It’s never too late or too early to be who you are capable of being. There’s no time limit, you can simply start and stop whenever you want. You can change or stay the same. You can make the best or the worst of it. It’s up to you, so make the best of it. Do things that startle you. Feel things you’ve never felt before. Spend time with people who help you grow. Live a life you’re proud of. And if you find that you’re not, have the courage to make a change.
You know it’s time for a change when…
- Fear is holding you back. – Realize that fear is the worst of it; fear is your real enemy. So get up, get out in the stormy weather of the real world, and kick fear as hard as you can right in the teeth. Do so by staring at it dead in the eyes and then walking right through it into the storm. Let the rain kiss your skin. That’s the first step. Because a wet man doesn’t fear the rain anymore. Read The Road Less Traveled
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- You catch yourself feeding the negative. – There is always a fierce battle between two hungry forces going on inside you. One is negative – anger, jealousy, greed, resentment, lies, and hatred. The other is positive – love, joy, peace, hope, compassion, kindness, and truth. The force that wins is the one you feed the most.
- Your mind is everywhere except right here, right now. – Some people believe the past is endless, the future is endless, and the present is a moment. But the truth is, the past is a moment, the future is a moment, and the present is endless. Make sure you’re living in it and making the most of this present moment we call life.
- You feel pressured to be someone other than yourself. – Some people will simply not like it when you are being yourself. They will always be more comfortable with the person they imagined you to be. So when they disapprove of you, ignore them. Because what makes you happy supersedes what they think will make you happy. Do not disown your truth. Do not fear your originality. Do not live in their opinions. Decide that you matter and that there is nothing wrong with just being YOU. Read The Mastery of Love
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- You feel like you’re competing against everyone else. – You are in competition with no one other than yourself. You are running your own race. You have no need to play the game of being better than anyone in any way, shape, or form. Just aim to improve – to be better than you were yesterday. This is the mindset that will set you free.
- A relationship is making you miserable. – You can’t change all the people around you, but you can change the people you choose to be around. No relationship is worth being miserable over. Sometimes you just have to erase the messages, delete the numbers, and move on. You don’t have to forget who they once were, but you do have to accept that they aren’t the same person anymore.
- You feel bored. – Don’t say you’re bored; it’s a useless thing to say. You live in a vast world that you’ve seen only a small fraction of. And even the inside of your own mind is endless – it literally goes on forever to depths you’ve never explored. Do you understand? The fact that you are alive is amazing, so you don’t really have the right to be bored. If you are, you know it’s time to make a change.
- You’ve been resisting change. – Change isn’t part of the process, it is the process. The bad news: nothing is permanent. The good news: nothing is permanent. Therefore, avoid overzealous elation in prosperity, or undue depression in adversity. In time, both will change. Read The Tao of Pooh
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- Other people are writing your story for you. – Your life is a story, and you are the protagonist. Everyone, and I mean everyone else, is a side character. Your parents, your boss, and every stranger on the street are all just side characters. Now, how much do they affect the story? Well, side characters can be great, but they only exist to help you move the story along. So if you make a mistake, feel awkward or embarrassed, don’t get too stressed out. Laugh it off, you’re the protagonist. No other character has the power to stress you out unless you let them. This is just a friendly reminder to help you get unstuck and move your story along. Again, this is YOUR STORY. Live it the way you want to live it, and don’t let anyone else write the ending for you.
Photo by: J.T. Noriega
Nae says
Your posts always seem to coincide with the way I am feeling. Thank you!
Keri says
Thank you both of your wonderful messages. And I agree with Nae, it seems like they are always just what I need to hear. Today it’s all about number 4 for me. I really have been feeling this pressure lately, and I know I need to ignore it. I just need to keep being ME. 🙂
T says
Much needed motivation this morning. Thank you for putting into words what I struggle to articulate. I do need to make a change, and I know I’m not alone. I’m making my change starting right now, and I hope this article inspires others to join me. Good luck my friends…
Elizabeth says
Thanks!!! This post was just the dose of inspiration I needed…
Saurabh Banerjee says
Good read as always… last one was the best. I would also love it if you would discuss more on point 7 and maybe in future write an entire article on it.
shia says
Very well written. And very much needed. Thank you!
Alex says
Thanks for this – I needed it, particularly one and four! I live in Germany right now, and am handing my notice in to move back to England for a few months before figuring out my next step/how to travel next summer. Truth be told, I am terrified of the unknown, and going back home!
My friends here also keep saying how I’ve changed, and how I’m not the same person anymore – which is really frustrating, because I know I haven’t changed; I’m just not being a doormat anymore.
So with this in mind, I know a change is needed. I’m facing fear today and starting anew – time to be brave and hand the notice in!
Good luck to everyone else this week 🙂
Will @ Dream About Life says
I think one of the biggest things that have held me back in the past was fear. Fear of change, uncertainty and failure. I realized that change was necessary when I caught myself choosing an uneasy situation over a more positive one, just because I was scared of stepping out of my comfort zone.
I learned a while back that in order to succeed and become the person that you’re capable of becoming, you have to first learn to fear regret more than you fear failure.
Thank you for sharing this post!
Rupa says
I have been really feeling low these past few days and then I open your site and I couldn’t believe my eyes…It is as if you read my mind…Thank you for this! especially #6, 7 and 8. I have been resisting change as fiercely as I could , holding onto things I should have let go long ago and hoping that everything would be the same as it was earlier. And it was just leading me to a dark dark place…
But I know now it is futile to resist change because change is the only way we grow.
Thanks once again!
Bina says
“You have no need to play the game of being better than anyone in any way, shape, or form.”
This should become my mantra.
Indeed, most of the time I’m dissatisfied with my life or myself it’s because I’m comparing myself to others. How silly. All I need to ask is whether I am happy… as long as I can answer that in the affirmative, I’m good to go.
Thanks for reminding me.
Mo says
I always have the deep rooted feeling that I want to leave everything & travel for the rest of my life, but I think I’m too old (45) & I have responsibilities. I have felt this way for almost 20 years now but having a child, I could never follow the feeling of change. How do you deal with this other than counting your blessings in other areas? I always feel there is a gap in my life. I want to change, I just don’t know how.
Debbie says
I love having my first cup of coffee and reading your latest post. It is the perfect start to my day! Thanks…
Holly says
Thank you for sharing the gift of your writing with the world. Your blog is my favorite!
Vruti says
I really liked the last point… I hope I am strong enough to follow it in my life…
nina says
thanks. great post. i am in the middle of a huge shift and some people dont like it. i am realizing that in many ways i have been living my life for other people and its been hurting me. well, that’s over now. sometimes i get the fear so this was perfect today. your posts always inspire.
Buntu Redempter says
Thank you for sharing such inspirational advice.
Ani Todd Smith says
You’ve put a lot of stuff down here that I have been dealing with. Feeding the negative is what I find myself doing so I know it’s time to do something. Thank you again for another great post and Happy Monday. 🙂
Amandah says
Being bored is a great indicator that it’s time for a change. If you’re bored with the following:
Your surroundings.
Your routine.
Being surrounded by people who complain day in and day out.
The scenery around you.
Shopping at the same places.
Seeing the sames faces every day…
It’s time to spice up your life and get out of your comfort zone. Being bored can push you to new heights. It can push forward in life and lead you to new horizons. Change is good. It’s how you grow as a person.
none says
Thanks for this guys 🙂
shannoz says
Thanks for this great inspirational post. Just what I needed most, a reminder about fear of change. Currently I am under going development course after being promoted. Your articles keep me motivated and I like that. Much love and respect. Keep doing this great work!
Leah says
Loved your Monday morning wake up call. As always, it brought me back to the truth.
Thank you!
Diane says
I look forward to your articles arrving in my email. They have helped me appreciate so much in life that I had often forgotten.
Housna says
This is perfect. How is it that you always seem to post just the things I need to read to make me feel better?? Keep up the great & inspirational work! 🙂
Victoria says
Marc, it’s amazing! Especially point 9. Made me smile.
Harish Kalia says
Your article is quite motivating and appreciable sir. I really like the list-style presentation which is easy to read and strike appropriately to the target mind. Thank you so much.
Susan Holland says
You are doing what you are recommending, and it works! Your posts are really making a difference to a lot of people, including me.
Bobbi Emel says
While all of these points are incredibly helpful, number 5 was the one that stood out for me. I wouldn’t use the word ‘competing’ for me, but I would use ‘comparing.’ Your reminder to just be better than I was yesterday releases the pressure I put on myself when I compare my life to others.
Thanks!
Michael Gilbert says
Thank you for your daily inspirational ,insightful, truthful quotes and sayings. In my life it’s like a breath if fresh air. I look forward to your daily emails .
Sincerely ,
Michael
Jacqui says
Thank you. Thank you. This post spoke to me.
🙂
Hope & Sugar says
Lovely post. You always have the right things to say at the right time. Just what I needed. Thanx.
Amadi Daniel says
Quite inspiring. Thanks. I feel deeply enriched.
kat says
Thank you. Have a great day everyone 🙂
Jerrywhyte Obamwonyi says
Well said again Marc and Angel, More often than not, we keep resisting change no wonder we have never got exactly what will make the difference in what / where we are!
Darius says
Thank you, a great article! Especially enjoyed the direct tone of numbers 1 & 7, perfect for sparking motivation!
Tianna says
This is soo lovely… I hope I can find the time and strength to incorporate these into my life.
Ravnee says
Thanks!!! Its time for a change. This site corrects me whenever I deviate from my path 🙂
Omohan says
Thanks so much for such inspiring article. It’s a good eye opener to what really counts in life. Thanks.
Jenny says
This is so perfect. I feel like #6 was the foundation that brought out the others on the list for me. Once I cut that tie, I made room for change in every aspect of my life. I am living a life I am proud of and have proven to myself I can do anything I set my mind to do. Nothing is impossible! If I can do it, anyone can. Stay inspired, be grateful, love fully, embrace what is around you, cut the ties that weigh you down, and live life to the fullest 🙂 Thank you for posting!
gwen says
I love your posts. Could you please write something about when you are stressed and stuck. The part of me that wants to move on is in war with the part of me that wants to keep the status quo. It is not a nice feeling.
KP says
I enjoyed this article. There are certainly things that will make our lives better and in-turn make this world a better place. Well Done. Keep it up.
Thanks
Vickie says
I enjoyed this inspiring article very much…Thanks.
doris says
Thanks for sharing. Great reminders!
Kris says
I am taking the attitude from one of the replies-fear regret more than you fear failure. So many of the others, well, all of the others as well. I also compare and compete with others, and usually place myself in the loser bracket-that has to stop!!
innawake says
Change is unchangeable. It’s a simple truth. You explained life’s changes and their importance cleverly. A good read. I am thankful for your effort.
Vickie says
Thanks for sharing. This moved me.
Kernel's Corner says
Uh oh… If this was a check box form then I would have ticked out all items. This touched my core as every item struck true to me. That is maybe why I feel so pressured, imprisoned by an hurtful past and not able to move on, feel no contentment in an aspect of my life, feel too jealous and hurt without cause, and in a state of misery if I allow it to creep within me. But despite all these I still feel afraid to let go and not ready for the most dreaded change.
Am I getting paranoid, or am I really in that spot? Good food for thought.
Thanks for sharing.
Sydney says
Love this. And I would just like to ask – what do we need to change if there’s more than one yes of the points you mentioned? Anyone?
Kyle Richey says
#3 definitely stood out to me:
“Some people believe the past is endless, the future is endless, and the present is a moment. But the truth is, the past is a moment, the future is a moment, and the present is endless.”
What a brilliant quote.
Victor says
Thank you