Pretend You Have Arrived So You Can Become
Achieving greatness starts in the mind. Act as if you’ve already reached your goals to propel yourself forward. For instance, before each tennis match, I get in the zone by watching clips of professional tennis players, immersing myself in visions of perfect strokes and the satisfying sound of the ball hitting the racquet.
To prepare, I pack my tennis bag just like a pro would, with all the essentials: grip tape, Advil, Gatorade, extra clothes, flip flops, a hat, and sunglasses. I even match my outfit down to the shoes and take a moment to say a little prayer. This routine helps me step onto the court feeling like a true tennis professional, ready for competition.
Embrace the Mindset
If you want to be something, start by believing you are already there. This mindset is crucial because if you doubt yourself, you’re setting yourself up for failure before you even begin. While some might worry that this attitude could lead to delusion, it’s all about striking a balance. Believing in yourself is essential because if you don’t, who will?
Life as a Pro Blogger
Running a blog is demanding. Many bloggers don’t make it past six months, often due to burnout. Whenever I write, I approach it as though blogging is my full-time job. Despite working about 50 hours a week at my day job, I compete as if I have all the time in the world to dedicate to my blog, constantly seeking new marketing strategies and better content. Unlike journalists at large publications who have editors and big marketing budgets, I handle everything from writing to tech support myself. It’s challenging, but competing with the pros keeps me motivated, and making my site a success is incredibly rewarding.
Basketball: My First Love
Basketball requires complete physical engagement and has always been my favorite sport. Though I’ve dialed back to preserve my knees for the future, I still gear up in my sleeveless jersey, loose shorts, and Jordan retros, playing the point forward and imagining sinking three-pointers all game long. In the local gym, looking and acting the part can affect how seriously you’re taken. We focus on playing fundamental basketball, which leads us to win 80% of our games. By adopting the mindset of an NBA player, I enhance my confidence and performance on the court.
Music: A Lifelong Passion
My guitar, with its cherry wood top and lemon oil aroma, brings me immense joy, though I admit I’m not the best musician. Despite my struggles with various instruments, I continue to play, locking myself away to strum and sing like Jack Johnson. It’s my way of relaxing and recuperating, especially when I’m too sore from sports.
Conclusion
Adopting a positive attitude is crucial for progress. As children, we effortlessly embraced different identities through play, but as adults, we often lose that ability. If you’re going to pursue something, why not aim to be the best? By embodying success, you can transform your aspirations into reality.
Blogging as a Viable Career
Over a decade ago, I started Financial Samurai, not realizing it would eventually allow me to leave my day job. What began as a hobby has turned into a significant source of passive income. The beauty of the internet is that anyone can start from nothing and build something monumental. Remember, every giant website began as a small blog. By maintaining faith and persistence, you can achieve great success.
