Apply yourself

 Apply yourself


“Give it your 100% or don’t do it at all.”


I used to take for granted how lucky I was to get paid to learn. I made it all the way through college without taking out a single loan due to scholarships. Rather than embracing that, all I could think about was how much time I had left until graduation. In my classes I just showed up. I had good grades but learned nothing because I never completely applied myself. I let distractions control my existence and sloughed my way through college. I was given a huge opportunity to learn for free and made nothing of it.


Key: Rather than saying “I have to be here” tell yourself “I get to be here”


My mindset has shifted. Now when I go to work everyday, I tell myself I get paid to build relationships, learn life skills, and learn business. I get paid for education now and I embrace it.


Every single day you are given the opportunity to live life or let life live you. Letting life live you means you are distant, distracted, and apathetic. Instead, be mindful of where you are.


Definition: mind·ful·ness /ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/

A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.


By becoming more mindful of the situation, you are applying yourself. You are being present in the current moment. Keeping myself aware of why I do what I do is how I stay motivated. I remind myself I have the choice, in that moment, to determine what I take from it. I get to control my interpretation of any given moment in time. I am completely capable of changing my perception of a moment and learning from it.


Don’t be like me. Don’t take advantage of the blessing you were given and become a passive being. Take advantage of every moment you can and apply yourself to everything you do.

Key: There is no sense in doing something if it is not with 100% effort. 


Apply yourself.


~Thank you for reading. My goal is to help teach others ways to better themselves while doing the same for myself. This is The Exploration.~


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