You Don’t Want It Bad Enough
You Don’t Want It Bad Enough
7 Tips for a Happier Life
It happened long ago.
The realization that I didn’t want to be like everyone else. I was never more happy with this decision than during the halftime show of Superbowl 46. You know, the one where Madonna was lip-syncing and dancing around inappropriately.
I watched in disbelief as everyone was cheering and clapping in the stands. This is what “cool” is nowadays, right?
Well, I’m here to tell you that if Madonna and her music are “cool”, than I never want to be cool. In fact, all of the entertainment shows on celebrities and their glamorous lives aren’t cool either. They don’t personify any values that are important and they don’t offer anything I ever want my children to look up to.
If you spend a lot of time watching these types of shows, I’m guessing that at some point you’ve compared the current state of your life with the celebrities’ lives you’re watching on tv. This has probably depressed you and left you feeling sad about the material possessions you don’t have.
Instead of thinking about what you don’t have and letting this keep you from achieving more in your life, I hope I can offer you some important things to think about and give you some introspection about what your life could become.
Because I’m here to tell you that a storm is coming – the storm of time slipping away from your life. Time is our most precious commodity and we can never get it back. I’m sure every billionaire in the world would give up their fortune on their death bed just to get some more time back. In a recent article written by a hospice nurse, I read that there are five top regrets from those who are moments away from the end of their lives.
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
Source: Top 5 Regrets of The Dying
I want you to read this list. I want you to SCREAM this list at the top of your lungs until your voice goes hoarse. Do NOT think that this will not happen to you.
FOCUS on what I’m saying, this is some real shit.
Get busy, RIGHT NOW, living your life and telling the people that you care about everyday that your life is better because they’re in it.
What is Real?
Madonna isn’t real. The Kardashian’s are not real. What is real is your mind, body and undying spirit. These are the things that you have to nurture because they will reveal your greatness.
Here are some things to keep in mind when you’re stuck at a crossroads and don’t think things are going your way in life. It is this very point where you need to bare down and focus on the positive things in your life and use them to take action.
Tip #1 – Never Give Up
This is probably the most important thing you have to always remember – NEVER GIVE UP! Do you think that life is easy, or anything worth having is given to you? Well, I hate to burst your bubble but no one will ever give anything to you in this life. So you have to fight and fight and fight, relentlessly until you achieve your goals. And don’t feel sorry for yourself, because no one is listening.
Tip #2 – Failure is NOT an Option
Actually, failure is an option.
Because you will fail…over and over again. That is, until you succeed. Keep going until you reach your goal, that is all you have to do. And when you reach your goal, that is the very time where you don’t stop and celebrate. You set the next goal and keep driving forward.
Life is about small successes that you build upon and use that power to achieve bigger successes. Subconsciously, many people sabotage their own success, because they feel that they don’t deserve happiness. Or maybe they’re not worthy of praise from others. You are powerful beyond measure and have to eliminate the fear of success from your mind.
Do you think failing hurts? Try living with regret the rest of your life. Our triumphs, after we get knocked down, define us.
Tip #3 – You’ve Got to Be Mentally Tough
You have to dig deep and find the strength and mental toughness to push through the tough times. When I see athletes walking away from the bar or people quitting when things get hard, it infuriates me.
Why?
Because they are not angry as hell that they didn’t succeed at the task. They have no emotion. No urgency.
When you’ve got a chance to prove yourself or to prove something to yourself, you have to go for it with no hesitation. If you think that I am too extreme or I shouldn’t think this way, then I am talking directly to you! I want the best for you and know you can do great things, why don’t you want that for yourself?!
Tip #4 – Do Something EPIC!
The most popular post ever here on Diesel was my 101 Ways to Be F*ckin’ EPIC. Probably because it resonated with so many people. They were stuck in the “sleeping while awake” of their normal everyday life and they hadn’t been challenged in a while. Don’t fall into the “norm” and lull yourself into complacency like many others. Be EPIC!
Tip #5 – Every Second, Every Breath is Important
Photo courtesy of www.ultimatewarrior.com
If many of you thought that the Ultimate Warrior (now known only as Warrior) has been living a quiet life, you would be right. What you might not know, is that Warrior has a successful site and popular YouTube channel. The intensity that you remember him for in the ring has been replaced with a passion for helping others achieve great things in their lives.
One of Warrior’s popular video series is his “It Does Matter” series. The underlying theme of the series is that every breath and every second of your life matters – don’t waste it! And those people who allow you to make excuses as to why you keep falling short on the promises and goals you make for yourself, don’t have your best interest at heart. They are lying to you! Wake up!
Tip #6 – Believe in Yourself
You can’t do anything without believing in yourself.
I can’t do it.
I’m not strong enough.
I’m not smart enough.
I can’t make it.
Well, if you believe you can or you believe you can’t – you’re probably right. It all starts with believing in yourself and that belief, allows you to take action. To work hard. To keep moving when stuff gets tough because deep down you know you will succeed!
Tip #7 – The Illusion of Success
Oh, you’ve got a lot of money? You’ve got a cool car? You have a HUGE house? So what? You’re living paycheck to paycheck trying to pay for all this shit.
Do you know what your son’s or daughter’s best friend’s name is?
How did they do on their math homework?
How do they feel about themselves?
Are you listening to me?
How do they feel about themselves and their potential to live a long, healthy and productive life? That is what f*cking counts. That is your job bro. Not to buy all this shit that forces you to work like a lemming and throw all your hopes and dreams out the window.
The time in NOW!
If I can reach one person with this article and they turn their life around and start living the life they want for their kids – I will have done my job. Quit being blinded by what isn’t real and start looking right into their mirror right in front of you and ask yourself some tough questions.
Smitty
By Smitty on March 1st, 2012
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I can’t LIKE this more times than !! Fuck me man. I love everything you put out and I mean everything. I’m not here to gas you up, but this post is what is REAL in life. This post is REAL. Its about what is happening in REAL time and if you live on some fantasy world living as other people,like jim carrey in CAble Guy, your wasting your life. Thanks coach for the ongoing motivation to LIVE. Your words convinice me that I am Powerful beyond Measure.
Thanks Pete, you’re the man.
Fantastic post. Couldn’t have said it better myself.
Thanks Clint.
Ouch… dammit. That’s like a smack in the face … from a true friend, when you NEED it most! Thanks for continuing to serve up the real shit, Smitty
Thanks big guy.
Great job again Mr. Smith! It is refreshing to hear a coach talk about this, as this is the backbone of what training should be about.
Thanks Brent.
Today is the only day any of us have.
Wasting it is a form of suicide.
Thanks for reading Frank.
Keep theses comin Smitty. I’m recovering from rotator cuff surgery and these posts keep me focused! I’m fighting my way back 1 inch at a time,
Thanks for reading.
shit hot man
Thanks for reading.
Thanks, Jim. I needed this today, like jumper cables for my motivation and focus.
Thanks again!
Thanks Mike.
“When I see athletes walking away from the bar or people quitting when things get hard, it infuriates me.
Why?
Because they are not angry as hell that they didn’t succeed at the task. They have no emotion. No urgency.”
People have labeled me with ‘anger management problems’ even in the weight room, football field, or even last weekend during an kickboxing tournament because failing makes me mad. I dont stop pushing because It burns inside when I fail, but when I fall to the ground with exhaustion because everything I had to give was put out, “I am happy.” Failure isnt what makes me angry… Its when I know there is some way that I could have tried 110% and didnt. When I cant look in the mirror with an honest heart and believe that I did my best, gave my all, I truly have no regrets.
If I do this then failure is just a matter of fact. not a matter of emotion.
Thank you Smitty for showing me Im not alone.
PS i won tournament WITH HEART 😉
Thanks Steven, great story.
Simply fucking awesome. What else can be said? What else needs to be? Gotta go. Need to go do some epic shit.
Thanks Cass.
Amazing post Smitty sharing this with my wrestling guys and athletes!
Thanks Gags.
Got to get rid of that mindset of thinking that the illusion of success is what matters!
I used to have that urgency and fire, but it has diminished quite a bit since I stopped playing soccer competitively. I need to get it back.
Thanks
keep fighting bro
Live life with passion Live passion with life same as always jim num 1 man
thanks for your thoughts rage bro B
Thanks bro.
This is great, love it. Epic shit is epic.
Thanks Mark.
Just WOW, you rock!
I can’t say anything but this article really couldn’t have come at a better time and it really hit home. I will share it with my 19 year old son who is struggling with his hockey life and considering giving up on the next level. I hope he gets from it what I did. Thank you so much!!!
Amen! Thanks for this Smitty! Love these motivational articles! I could not agree more with everything in here… Truly infuriates me to see what most, I fell, consider heroes and idols!
I meant “Feel”
Excellent article, packed with real life wisdom. Thank you, Smitty!
What you say is true on every level. So many of my mates and peers need to read this, but even more than that, they actually need to follow it. Thanks heaps.
Truely inspiring!!
Thanks, Jim; you are the consummate philosopher. After reading your post, I smacked myself so hard on my head and thought, ‘ Why didn’t I think of that?’ I have had a plethora of short comings mingled with triumphs throughout my life, and I’ve had to give up on many things, including myself. I have lived for others; now, I must live for myself. Your words, Smitty, are words to live by. Thanks.
you did something epic by writing this article! thanks bro!