Recovering from the old YOU

We all dream of what we want to accomplish, visions of success, happiness, or simply becoming better versions of ourselves. But too often, those dreams remain just that: dreams. Why? Because change is hard. But if it truly matters, wouldn’t you be willing to do whatever it takes to make that change worth it? So I ask you, are you ready? Or is something still holding you back from leaping toward the new you?

When I was in high school, I was misbehaving so badly that they assigned me to a coach. I did not see him as a coach, but he was there to redirect my path by helping me reflect on my actions and make better choices.

I wanted so badly at that time to be accepted by my friends. I was raised between four walls; I didn’t have friends, so when I got a chance to make some, I chose the wrong ones, or the ones having a bad influence on me.

My coaching sessions with that guy were inspiring. He gave me an assignment my first day: “How to Change” and I had to write it on paper and reflect on it. I went to all my friends to ask them how to change, what they think about my behavior and how they think I can improve. I even asked my professors. I got some pretty cool insights from them but I couldn’t see them working in my life unless I practiced what I’ve learned from my coach.

During that same year, I completely changed my behavior and perspective about whom I should be friends with. It was not an easy path, but I managed and found out that I could be more if I helped and lifted others than by ridiculing them. I shifted from being a troublemaker (which I never was) to being a calm kid looking to help others.

You know, change is very difficult. It takes a lot of Why Power to change your environment and friends to look for things that play in your advantage than pulling you backward. That old you has to go away if you want to be another person. You have to let go of these habits, these friends who invite you to things that you don’t like, you have to start choosing yourself and learn how to say NO to things that are not aligned to the person you truly want to be.

The person you dream of becoming is awaiting on the other side of your fear and old habits. All it takes is to choose growth over comfort, purpose over complacency, and courage over conformity. Start today — because the best version of you is worth fighting for.