The Real Secret to Success: 3 Ways to Turn Mistakes into Fuel for Goals

 If you've ever scrolled through Instagram, you've likely come across a glossy photo of someone "crushing it" accompanied by a caption that echoes, "Success depends on taking responsibility for your mistakes and focusing on your goal."  Yet, for most of us, those two tiny clauses seem like a daunting task. “Taking responsibility for your mistakes”—The Power of the Oops Moment. Why does this matter? When you assign blame to others, such as your boss, the market, or the coffee machine, you are essentially relinquishing control over your life. The moment you own a slip‑up, you instantly become two things:

Control—You decide what the next move is.

Learning—mistakes become data points instead of dead ends.

Everyday example: The missed deadline

Imagine you’re a freelancer and you turn in a project two days late

Avoidance route: “My client kept changing the brief, the internet was slow…”

Ownership route: “I misjudged the scope and didn’t buffer enough time.”

What changes?

In the first scenario, you wasted energy defending yourself.

In the second, you free up mental bandwidth to actually fix the problem—maybe you negotiate a new deadline or streamline your workflow for the next gig.

 Thomas Edison and the light bulb

Edison famously said he didn’t fail 1,000 times—he discovered 1,000 ways a filament wouldn’t work. Each "failure" represented a deliberate, documented experiment. By taking responsibility for each dead end, he transformed the entire process into a stepping stone toward his eventual breakthrough.

Quick tip: The “5‑Second Ownership” habit

When something goes wrong, pause for five seconds and answer these three questions out loud:

What exactly happened?

What part did I play?

What can I do right now to move forward?

Write the answer in a notebook or a notes app. Over a week, you’ll notice a dramatic drop in “blame the outside” chatter.

“Focusing on your ‘goal’

Why focus beats hustle

Hustle culture encourages us to "work harder and do more."” However, without a clear direction, all that energy becomes mere noise. Focus is the mental GPS that tells you where to apply that hustle. A tech startup builds an app for “social bookmarking.” Six months in, the user base stalls. A scattergun approach: They keep adding features, hoping one will stick. They go back to the core data—users love the search function. They focus on enhancing the search function to create a best-in-class experience, rebrand their product, and within a year, they become a niche leader.

The difference? The second team kept a laser focus on the goal (a product people love) instead of getting lost in endless feature creep.

Sports analog: Michael Jordan’s “flu game”

Jordan didn’t let a fever derail his focus on winning Game 5 of the 1997 Finals. He took responsibility for his physical state (rest, hydration, and medication) and kept his goal—winning the championship—front and center. The result? 38 points and a legendary performance. Pro tip: The “One‑Thing‑Only” rule

Pick the single most important action that moves you toward your goal today. Put this at the top of your to-do list, and don't do anything else until it's done or you have a good reason to wait. It trains your brain to treat focus like a muscle.

By acknowledging the mistake, you identify what truly requires attention.

Realign to the goal → you decide the right fix, not just any fix.

Example: A writer’s dreaded first draft

Mistake: “My draft is terrible; I’m a bad writer.”

Ownership: “I spent too much time worrying about perfect sentences instead of fleshing out the story.”

Goal: “Finish a 2,000‑word draft by Friday.”

Result? The writer eliminates perfectionism, completes the main content, and then uses the remaining time for editing, creating a purposeful and goal-driven flow. 

Company case study: Netflix’s “Netflix and Chill” pivot

Early 2000s: Netflix mailed DVDs and blamed “late deliveries” for churn.

Ownership: Executives acknowledged that the physical media business model was restrictive.

Goal: “Be the world’s leading streaming platform.”

Focus: They invested heavily in streaming tech and original content and abandoned the DVD‑only model.

Fast forward: Netflix is now a cultural juggernaut. Their success story is a textbook example of marrying responsibility with relentless goal focus. 

How to Put This Quote Into Action Right Now

Step       What You Do      Mini‑Exercise

1️⃣ Identify a recent mistake. Write it down in one sentence.  “I missed the client’s deadline last week.”

2️⃣ Own it.  Add a “my part” clause. “I didn’t buffer enough time for revisions.”

3️⃣ Extract the lesson. Ask, what did this event teach me?     “I need a 20% time cushion for future projects.”

4️⃣ Clarify your goal. Write a crisp, measurable goal.  “Deliver all client work 24 hrs early for the next three months.”

5️⃣ Align your next action. Choose ONE task that links the lesson to the goal.    “Create a master project timeline template with built‑in buffers.”

6️⃣ Review weekly          Reflect on the loop: ownership → lesson → action → goal.               Sunday: 5‑minute journal entry.

 Do this for one mistake each week. Before you know it, you’ll have a personal “success playbook” built on accountability and focus. The Takeaway in Two Sentences

Own your slip‑ups so you can turn them into data, not excuses.

Zero in on your goal so every corrective action is purposeful, not scattered. When you combine the two, you’ve essentially built a self‑correcting engine that propels you forward—no matter how bumpy the road gets. Ready to give it a whirl? Grab a sticky note, jot down that recent mistake you’ve been side‑stepping, and pair it with your biggest goal for the month. Stick it on your laptop, coffee mug, or bathroom mirror. Every time you see it, you’re reminded: Success isn’t a myth; it’s a habit of responsibility and focus. Go crush it! 🚀 

What is the smallest investment you can make in yourself today?

Let's be real for a second. Whether you're glancing at your retirement fund, scrolling through job postings, or just trying to navigate the price of groceries, there's one thing that feels constant: change. Often, this constant change can be perceived as instability. The stock market experiences fluctuations, the job market adapts to technological advancements, and even the housing market exhibits unpredictable fluctuations. It's enough to make anyone feel  twitchy about their future. That's why I love this quote from Mikhail Barshchevsky: "Markets are unstable. Invest in yourself." Simple, right? However, the implications are profound.  This piece of wisdom isn't just a clever saying. Firstly, Barshchevsky confronts us with the harsh reality: "Markets are unstable." And he's not wrong. Financial Markets: Stocks go up, stocks go down. Cryptocurrencies soar and plummet. Interest rates fluctuate, affecting everything from your savings to your mortgage. Your financial well-being can feel like it's tied to external forces you can't control. Job Markets: Some industries emerge, and others fade. Gold skills last year might be common this year. Automation and AI are constantly reshaping the landscape, creating both opportunities and anxieties. Economic Markets: Inflation, recessions, and global supply chain disruptions—these aren't just headlines; they directly impact our daily lives and long-term planning. The anxiety of it all can easily overwhelm us, causing us to constantly check charts and refresh news feeds. However, Barshchevsky presents an alternative approach: The Unshakeable Value of Internal Investment. This is where the magic happens: "Invest in yourself." What does that really mean? It's about shifting your focus from the volatile external world to the one asset you truly own and control: YOU. Think of "investing in yourself" as building a diversified portfolio of personal resilience, capability, and well-being. Here's what that looks like in practice: Skills & Knowledge (Your Intellectual Capital): Continuous Learning: The world is changing? Great! Learn new skills. Take an online course, read books, listen to podcasts, master new software, or even learn a new language. The more adaptable and multi-talented you are, the less vulnerable you are to shifts in any one industry. Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking: These aren't just buzzwords; they're superpowers. The ability to analyze, adapt, and innovate makes you invaluable, no matter the market conditions. Health & Well-being (Your Physical & Mental Capital): Physical Health: Constant exhaustion or illness prevents you from conquering the world or even your to-do list. Prioritize excellent nutrition, regular exercise, and adequate sleep. It's the foundation for everything else. Mental & Emotional Resilience: The markets are unstable, but your mind doesn't have to be. Practice mindfulness, seek support when needed, set boundaries, and cultivate hobbies that bring you joy and allow you to decompress. A calm, focused mind is your best tool for navigating uncertainty. Relationships & Networks (Your Social Capital): Building Connections: Networking isn't just for job hunting. It's about building a strong support system of peers, mentors, and friends. These connections can open doors, offer advice, or simply provide a much-needed sounding board. Personal Growth & Self-Awareness: Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, values, and passions allows you to make more informed decisions about your career and life path, aligning your actions with what truly matters to you. The Unbeatable ROI: You Are Your Safest Bet. The beauty of investing in yourself is that it's largely recession-proof. A market crash or a job cut cannot easily devalue your knowledge, health, or resilience. They accompany you on all your journeys. When you invest in yourself, you're not just preparing for market instability; you're building a stronger, more adaptable, and ultimately more fulfilled version of you. You become your most valuable asset, equipped to not just survive unpredictable times but to thrive within them. Therefore, the next time you encounter market fluctuations or economic uncertainty, take a moment to relax. Acknowledge the external reality, but remember Barshchevsky's timeless advice. Stop worrying about what you can't control and invest in yourself instead. What's one small investment you can make in yourself today? I personally like walking in the woods on an eco-trail for at least an hour a day. Share in the comments below if you like! 

The Uncomfortable Truth About Riches: Are We Chasing Wealth, or Just Relative Advantage?

We all possess it, that faint glimmer of a dream: what would it be like to attain genuine wealth? Imagine not having to worry about bills, traveling the world, and purchasing anything our heart desires. It's a universal fantasy, often painted with scenes of absolute comfort and freedom. But what if the desire goes beyond merely accumulating wealth? What if it's about having more? That's the provocative question posed by the 19th-century philosopher John Stuart Mill: "People would rather not be rich; people want to be richer than others." At first glance, this Mill quote may sound cynical, even dismissive of true ambition. But it is strikingly true, especially in our modern world. Imagine someone who has enough to live comfortably, free of debt, and able to afford a lovely home, nutritious food, occasional holidays, and reliable healthcare. By many objective standards, this person is rich—at least relatively speaking compared to the majority of the global population. However, many individuals in this position still yearn for more. Why? Mill suggests it's because our definition of "rich" isn't a fixed, internal metric. It's an ever-shifting benchmark, constantly calibrated against those around us. The Social Game of Wealth: The "Keeping Up With The Joneses" Phenomenon: It's not enough to have a lovely car; it needs to be nicer than your neighbor's. Your vacation destination isn't just about exploration; it's about being more exotic than your colleague's. Social comparison is a deeply ingrained human trait. We assess our standing, success, and happiness by looking at others. Status and Signaling: Wealth is often a proxy for status. It signals success, power, competence, and even desirability. To be "richer than others" isn't just about material possessions; it's about being perceived as superior and more accomplished. Our drive for social validation and respect can be a powerful engine behind the pursuit of comparative wealth. The Hedonic Treadmill: Even when we achieve a new level of wealth, our happiness often quickly returns to a baseline. We adapt. That new luxury car becomes just "our car." That bigger house becomes "our house." The novelty wears off, and our aspirations reset, often looking to the next tier, the next person with something more. This endless cycle often leaves us feeling perpetually short of true "richness." The Modern Amplifier: Social Media: We have never experienced such constant exposure to the carefully curated highlights of others' lives. Instagram feeds overflow with luxury travel, designer clothes, and aspirational lifestyles. This constant bombardment makes Mill's observation even more potent. We're not just comparing ourselves to our neighbors anymore; we're comparing ourselves to a global highlight reel, often feeling deficient in the process. Absolute Needs: Many people genuinely desire wealth for the security, comfort, and freedom it provides, regardless of how it compares to others. The peace of mind that comes from financial stability is a powerful motivator. Freedom and Impact: For some, wealth is a tool—a means to pursue passions, support causes, create jobs, or build a lifelong legacy. Their motivation isn't necessarily about outcompeting peers but about maximizing their potential for good or personal fulfillment. Defining "Enough": There are those who consciously choose to define "enough" for themselves, detaching from the endless pursuit of "more than." This process often involves a deeper alignment with personal values than societal expectations. What Does Such an Approach Mean for Us? What truly drives our financial goals? Is it a genuine desire for security and comfort, or is there an underlying need for validation, status, or to simply keep pace with (or remain ahead of) our peers? Are we constantly striving to reach a goal that seems unattainable? If the goal is to be richer than others, then achieving true contentment may always be unattainable, as there will always be someone who is wealthier than us. How can we define "rich" according to our standards? Perhaps true richness lies not in the size of our bank account relative to others, but in the abundance of our experiences, relationships, health, and freedom. John Stuart Mill's observation forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth about our ambitions. It challenges us to look beyond the superficial glitter of wealth and ask: are we really chasing a dream, or are we simply trapped in a relentless game of comparison? The answer might just reshape our entire approach to money, happiness, and what it truly means to be "rich." 

Fear of failure is an Obstacle to Pursuing Goals

I recently was browsing through my book titled “The Wealth in the Great Kingdom” (an exceptionally engaging read, by the way!). and decided to analyze the quote. “People are afraid of failure, and that’s why they very rarely take on something that is in their best interest or something that is their dream.” This isn’t some revolutionary, unheard-of revelation, right? We all know it to some extent.” Think about it. How many times have you had an idea, a goal, a little whisper of a dream, and then… crickets? Not because you didn’t want it, but because the “what if” monster has reared its ugly head? What if I try to start a side business and no one buys anything? What if the office mocks my request for a promotion? What if I enroll in that art class and my drawing resembles a toddler’s scribble? What if I start this blog (meta, I know!) and no one reads it? This fear of failure is more than just a bothersome voice; it truly stifles our potential. It stops us from even trying to do things that are explicitly good for us or deeply rooted in our hearts. And here’s the thing: It’s not just about grand, life-changing dreams. It’s also about the smaller, everyday things that could make a big difference in our lives. Asking for help, setting boundaries, taking a different route to work, trying a new recipe, and learning a new skill can all make a significant difference in our lives. These are all things that could be “in our favor,” but the fear of messing things up, looking stupid, or “wasting” time can hold us back. So what’s going on here? We’re so terrified of a bad outcome that we completely shut out the possibility of a good one. To avoid the risk of tripping, we’re staying put, even if it’s not where we want to be. But here’s a little secret: Everyone fails. Seriously. Every successful person you admire has a graveyard of failed attempts behind them. The difference? They didn’t let those failures define them or stop them from taking the next step. They learned, they changed, and they kept going. What actions can we take to overcome this? Reframe failure: Rather than viewing it as a catastrophic event, view it as a valuable piece of information. “Okay, that didn’t work. Why? What can I do differently next time?” This isn’t a stop sign; it’s a workaround. Start small. Do you have a big dream? Break it down into the smallest, most doable first step. Don’t want to fail while writing a novel? Just write one sentence today. Don’t want to fail your presentation? Just make a plan on the first slide. Embrace imperfection: “It’s better to be done than perfect” is a mantra for a reason. Go out there, try, stumble, and learn. It’s all part of the process. Think about the cost of not trying: What’s worse than failure? Imagine looking back years later and wondering "what if" you had just taken that step. Regret is often much more painful than a wrong step. This line from “The Wealth in the Great Kingdom” isn’t just an observation; it’s a challenge. It’s a call to look at what we’re hiding from ourselves because of fear, which is often much scarier in our heads than it really is. What is one thing you’ve been putting off because of fear of failure? Maybe today is the day to take just one small step in that direction. Even if it feels like a stumble, it’s still a step forward. What are your thoughts on this? Let me know in the comments below! Let’s overcome these fears together. 

 

The difference between a stupid, smart and wise person

Have you ever wondered what separates the person who is constantly putting themselves out there from the person who is always one step ahead and then the person who just seems to understand life on a deeper level? We often throw around terms like "stupid," "smart," and "wise" quite loosely, but there's a fascinating distinction that goes far beyond just IQ. Think of it as different levels of understanding of how the world works, or maybe just how well you learn from those inevitable bumps in the road."A stupid person doesn't accept mistakes." Now, I'm not talking about someone who struggles with complex math, because that's just a skill gap or a different kind of intelligence. I'm talking about someone who keeps making the same beginner's mistakes, over and over again. You know the type: touches a hot stove, burns their hand, and five minutes later reaches for it again, genuinely surprised that it's still hot. Or he falls for the same phishing email, even after you’ve explained it to him three times. It’s not a lack of information; it’s a complete failure to learn from experience or simply a complete disregard for basic common sense. As the old saying goes (often attributed to Einstein), “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Indeed, our "stupid" friend is trapped in a cycle, seemingly impervious to learning. A smart person learns from their mistakes. What about the “smart” person? They are quite different. Once they come into contact with a hot stove, they suffer a burn and swiftly grasp the lesson. The next time they recall the pain, they might even reach for an oven mitt or at least proceed with caution. They excel in problem-solving, comprehending the relationship between causes and effects, and effectively applying their knowledge. They will figure out a more efficient route to work after getting stuck in traffic, or they will read up on how to avoid phishing scams after a dangerous situation and implement new security measures on their computers. They effectively navigate the world by gathering, processing, and utilizing information. They know that “knowledge is power,” as Francis Bacon said, and they use that power to accomplish their work done and avoid pitfalls. They are adept at adapting and optimizing. "A wise person learns from the mistakes of others." This individual does not require experiencing harm firsthand to understand that it will be painful. They merely observe another individual being struck by a bus and contemplate, "Note to self: avoid playing in the bus lanes." They absorb the experience secondhand like a superpower. Example: You’re at work. Brenda in accounting just spent three days working on a giant report, didn’t save it once, and her computer crashed. You hear a blood-curdling scream from her office. But the wise person? They watched Brenda’s crash from afar, silently opened Google Drive, and set their document to “autosave every minute.” They didn’t have to go through the data loss themselves. They learned from Brenda’s very public, very painful mistake and proactively avoided that future headache altogether. That’s wisdom. The result is efficiency on a whole other level. But they will also carefully warn others, explaining danger not just as a rule but as a principle of safety and well-being. They see the bigger picture, foresee long-term consequences, and often possess an incredible sense of empathy and judgment. They don’t just solve problems; they often prevent them or propose solutions that benefit all involved, considering not only efficiency but also harmony, ethics, and sustainability. It's not just knowing what to do, but when, why, and the impact it will have. As Aristotle wisely observed, “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” They understand human nature, their limitations, and the vastness of the world around them, often guiding them with a gentle, insightful hand. So what’s the point? Stupidity is your greatest obstacle. Smartness is being your own teacher. Wisdom is letting the whole world be your teacher. It’s a reminder to loosen our grip on our ego, to pay attention to the mess people around us make, and to realize that not every lesson has to be learned the hard way. So the next time people make a mess around us, just smile. They’re giving you a free lesson. All you have to do is be wise enough to accept it. 

The only problem with a person who always finds fault with another is because of their weakness

This week I had the idea to jot down a few lines about the quote from The Wealth of the Great Kingdom—"The only problem with a person who always finds fault with another is because of their weakness"—it's really different, isn't it? It’s one of those lines that makes you think, “Yeah, that explains a lot.” The quote's simplicity belies its profound depth. When we talk about someone who “always finds fault with another,” we’re not just talking about a one-time complaint or a valid complaint. We’re talking about someone who seems to have a built-in flaw radar, constantly pointing out what’s wrong with everyone else—their choices, their appearance, their work, and their life in general. It’s a pattern, almost a compulsion. The quote states that the only issue with this behavior is their "own weakness." Aww. However, it's also quite cleverly said. It’s not about the person they’re criticizing; it’s about the critic themselves. These “weaknesses” don’t necessarily have to do with them being physically weak or downright poor people. They are usually internal, hidden struggles. Think about it:  Insecurity is a big one:  This condition is probably the most common culprit. If someone is deeply insecure about themselves—their appearance, their intelligence, their success, their happiness—what's an easy way to feel temporarily better? This can be achieved by highlighting the perceived shortcomings of others. It's akin to saying, "If I can make you feel inferior, perhaps I'm not as bad as I thought." It's a defense mechanism, a way to deflect attention from their fears and self-doubt. Example: Do you know that colleague who consistently makes sarcastic remarks about others' presentation abilities or their fashion selections? However, if you look closely, they might be quite shy about presenting themselves or dress in a way that blends in, trying not to draw attention. Their critiques might stem from their fear of being judged or their feeling that they aren't quite "good enough." Envy and Jealousy: Another classic. When someone sees another person achieving something they secretly desire—be it success, a fulfilling relationship, happiness, or even just a cool new gadget—their dissatisfaction often masks deep-seated envy. Rather than experiencing genuine joy for others, they seek to undermine their happiness. "Oh, she got that promotion, but she probably just got lucky," or "His new car is nice, but it's probably a money pit." Example: Imagine a friend who constantly finds fault with your partner or your relationship. "Are you really sure they're right for you? They seem a bit [insert negative trait]." Often, this response comes from a place where they might be struggling to find a path, or their relationship isn't as fulfilling as they'd like. Lack of Self-Awareness/Personal Fulfillment Sometimes, individuals who are perpetually dissatisfied with others may actually be deeply dissatisfied with their own lives, but they struggle to pinpoint the reason or why. They might feel a lack of purpose, emptiness, or just general unhappiness. They project their unhappiness outward onto everyone else instead of doing the hard work of looking inward and fixing their own issues. Blaming others is easier than blaming yourself. Example: Think about folks who spend an excessive amount of time online, trolling comment sections, or tearing down strangers. What personal challenges might lead individuals to find comfort in critiquing those they are not acquainted with? It's often a void that they're trying to fill, a way to exert some kind of power or control when they feel powerless in their existence. Fear of the Unknown/Change: For some, constantly finding fault in others stems from a rigid worldview and a fear of anything that deviates from their norm. They criticize different ways of thinking, living, or loving because they challenge their safe, familiar box, which can feel threatening. For example, a family member may nitpick every decision a younger relative makes regarding their career or lifestyle, consistently finding something "wrong" with those choices. They might be genuinely operating from a place of fear—fear of the unknown, fear that things are changing too fast, or fear that their life choices weren't the "best" ones. Therefore, the quote from " The Wealth of the Great Kingdom" offers insight rather than meanness.  Individual struggles often reveal the source of someone's persistent negativity, which typically stems from their own unaddressed flaws. It provides you with an alternative viewpoint, not to justify unacceptable behavior, but to comprehend its underlying causes. And indeed, it also serves as a valuable reflection for ourselves: if we find ourselves habitually scrutinizing others, perhaps it is time for a moment of self-examination. 

Author: Sezgin Ismailov

Actual indicators—how do you ascertain whether you have advanced?

 Have you ever paused to consider, "Am I truly making progress here?" It's a common thought, particularly when life seems like a never-ending cycle. We're often told progress equals a bigger title, a fatter salary, or a fancier car. And sure, those can be signs. However, what constitutes genuine, deep-rooted progress? That often looks a little different, and honestly, a lot more personal. How can you determine if you have advanced? For a moment, let's set aside the conventional scorecard and examine some authentic signs that you're not merely drifting aimlessly but genuinely creating a life you cherish.  Your financial situation feels less stressful. Okay, let's be real, money isn't everything. But having enough money and using it wisely is a giant freedom. Think back a few years. Were you constantly sweating over bills? Were you constantly balancing your rent and groceries? A sign of progress: You're not just getting by; you're building a buffer. Perhaps you have established an emergency fund and are actively contributing to a retirement fund, even if the contributions are small. Remember that old, beat-up couch you desperately wanted to replace? Now you can actually plan for that upgrade without sacrificing your ramen noodle budget. It's not about being a millionaire; it's about feeling a sense of security and choice with your finances. You're not just earning more; you're managing it better. You’ve Got More Free Time (And You Actually Use It!) This is a significant achievement. In our hustle culture, continuous work is often regarded as a mark of honor. But if your idea of "free time" is nodding off on the couch after a 12-hour day, that's not exactly progress. You're intentionally carving out time for things that aren't work. Maybe you used to work 60-hour weeks, and now you're happily clocking 40-45. You're rediscovering hobbies you loved, spending quality time with family or friends without feeling rushed, or just having genuinely lazy Sundays. Remember when you wanted to learn guitar but "never had the time"? You now find yourself picking it up a few times a week. That's not just more spare time; it's a commitment to your well-being and personal joy. You've Got More Control Over Your Life. Ever felt like a ping-pong ball, bouncing wherever life, your boss, or demanding friends pushed you? Feeling like others were always calling the shots? A sign of progress: You are now in control. This could mean: You can say "no" without guilt: no to that extra project that would burn you out, no to social plans you're not excited about. Setting boundaries: with work, with family, with friends. You're not letting people drain your energy reserves. Making big decisions for you, like changing careers, moving cities, or ending a relationship that wasn't serving you—because you decided it was time, not because you were forced. You’re less reactive and more proactive. You've Kicked (or Are Kicking) Those Pesky Addictions. When we discuss addictions, most people think of substances. But let's broaden that. The term "addiction" includes unhealthy habits, toxic relationships, endless social media scrolling, constant validation-seeking, or even just a nagging reliance on things that don't truly serve you. A sign of progress: You're breaking free from things that held you back. Maybe you've cut down on mindless binge-watching, you're no longer gossiping constantly, you've removed yourself from a draining friend group, or you've finally tackled that sugar craving that ruled your afternoons. It's about recognizing what isn't serving you and actively working to replace those habits with healthier ones. It's tough, but that feeling of regaining control over your habits is incredibly empowering.  You're Helping More People (Beyond Just Yourself). True progress often involves shifting your focus outwards. When you're constantly in survival mode, it's difficult to think about much else. But once you've secured a bit more stability and control, your capacity for contribution grows. A sign of progress: You're actively making a positive impact on others. This could be mentoring a junior colleague, volunteering for a cause you believe in, genuinely listening and offering support to a struggling friend, or even just consistently being a reliable, kind presence in your community. Remember when you barely had time to do your laundry, let alone help someone else? Now, you're sharing your knowledge, your time, or your resources without feeling depleted. It's the ultimate sign of abundance—you have enough to share. So, how's your scorecard looking? Progress is not a linear path, nor is it a competition. There will be ups and downs. However, if you're successfully completing even a few of these tasks, it's truly commendable. You're not just living; you're evolving. Keep going, you're doing great!

Author: Sezgin Ismailov