### For a few years my life was pretty stagnant. I kind of just survived.

https://i.imgsafe.org/a541dd124c.jpg

**I knew that something needed to change** but I didn't know *what* needed to change and I had no idea where to begin. I had just dropped out of college because I had become homeless and the college wasn't on a bus route. I had been working FT and going to school FT until that point. So, my life kind of felt over. That's understandable. The problem is that I got completely stuck in a quick-sand of failure and broken dreams and I just sat there making friends. I didn't **do** anything to try to dig myself out for **years**.

#### I am hoping by sharing what I eventually did with you, we can get you out of the sand sooner.

* ## Find your passion and aggressively pursue it

So, a few years later after really wallowing in my depression, pity, and hopelessness I decided "um, I HAVE to do SOMETHING or this will be my life." At this point I couldn't work a regular job due to my disability -I may be able to now but I don't want/need to- so I stopped telling myself the world was cruel and my hand sucked and I had **no** options and I started thinking like an entrepreneur. I started creating and selling my creations. This doesn't have to be what you do, but if you are stagnating find **something** you are passionate about and start really doing it. 

This year I have already sold all of my paintings I had, published a book that did well, have two more books in the works, and still have various other projects I am passionate about. (including steemit) I am now pretty unstoppable when it comes to pursuing my dreams and, as if I rekindled some child-like wonder, I am starting to really believe that if you keep it up long enough, and **really** pursue your passion you will inevitably make it. -assuming you are in a position where you have basic necessities met- (see: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs) 

https://i.imgsafe.org/a4f2dcddc0.jpg
*Look at this fucking rainbow? Doesn't that just make you feel capable and shit?*

* ## Embrace Change, even if it is scary.

This is probably the biggest part of why I am doing well. I had to embrace some really scary changes. I had to remove obstacles from my life that were in my way (which I will get to next) and I had to eventually move across the country. I had to **stop** doing the same thing I had been doing for years and expecting anything different. You know like that Einstein quote, I was completely insane to expect anything to get better when I was unwilling to change. So, I set out to make some **huge** changes in my life. 

These changes were absolutely terrifying but it's like that other quote by Eleanor Roosevelt quote you really have to do scary things constantly in order to excel. You need to challenge yourself. You need to **change**. Otherwise, you are stuck in a quick-sand of familiarity and mediocrity and you are making friends. It should be noted though, that for me at least, (and I am *such* a scared person in general) these scary things became a lot easier. Changing and taking risks became a bit less nerve-wracking each time. 

* ### Cut people who are in the way of your way of success OUT of your life!!!!

https://i.imgsafe.org/a529868536.jpg

This, for me, was the absolute biggest step. If you are surrounded by negative, abusive people or people who are wanting to do nothing but party every day you are not going to get much done. You need to be surrounded by people that inspire you, build you up, and support you. I had to remove essentially my entire family, and quite a few friends. This all started when my best friend died. It made me realize "Fuck, **this** is my life...and I am wasting it being treated like shit and partying." So, I started removing people who were holding me back. Sometimes, this was really, **really* hard but the change in my life, passion, and productivity make it obvious that it was the right choice.

#### It is better to be on a journey alone than surrounded by assholes. 

* ### Keep rolling with the punches, dusting yourself off, and getting back UP.

Become unstoppable. Become a force to be reckoned with. I experienced some of the hugest tragedies of my life over the past 4 years but I somehow kept getting up every day and trying again. Nowadays, I try to make sure I do more than just get up. I try to make sure that no matter how many times I get knocked down or rejected I get back up and continue pursuing my passion. Don't give up, basically. Cliche but it is **really** easy to give up and accept mediocrity. Don't do that. It may be comfortable but it's also fucking sad. 

I hope some of this was helpful to somebody. This is simply what I had to do in order to get out of my rut. 



Photos:

Man on bench:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/simonnpowell/8416707930

Fancy fucking rainbow:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow

Hiking alone: 
https://pixabay.com/p-1208261/?no_redirect

Woman on dock:
https://pixabay.com/p-758165/?no_redirect