It’s true that everyone at some point gets down on themselves. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed or hopeless, and that’s okay. But for how long?

The first step in creating a life in which you are fulfilled and free is to stop thinking about what you don’t have and start focusing on what you do have. Give yourself some props. You have come this far, and your life is far from over. So what can you do today to improve your future?

If you are holding yourself back then it could be for a few reasons:

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Maybe you can’t take the jump

Perhaps you know that whatever you are doing will lead you down a path that will ultimately change your life. Whether for the worse or better, it doesn’t matter. You start to develop this deep seated fear of change.

Like when you are about to go for a job promotion. Part of you is saying in your head that if you get the promotion then your life is going to change. Part of you wants to remain with what you are used to, it’s just human nature.

Be inspired to be courageous. Tell yourself that you got this and just jump. You have to rely on something bigger than you to catch you and make sure you are okay.

Your uninspired

With every ounce of your body you just hate the norm. It is killing you softly, the soft buzz of daily standard easy routine leading you down a path of nothingness. You crave interaction and adventure.

Take a trip somewhere. Take a look at some of the best places to visit in the US. Plan your trip and then set forth. Don’t let anyone or anything stop you from taking that adventure.

Your broke

I should have put this first on the list because for many people this is real life. Nothing to save this week, the negative most weeks, and it’s getting you down.

Start your own business or market your skills on you spare time. You can become a blogger and make a decent amount. Or you can make money at home, add a 2nd or 3rd income stream to your life. Be able to do the things you crave doing.

Take a look at what skills you have to offer. Maybe you have a skill that you don’t realize is valuable. If you know how to create a webpage or get traffic on social media, these are skills that companies hire people for on Fiverr. Join Fiverr and sell your services.

Check out:

What to do when you are flat broke
20 ways to stay frugal
Boss moves to make with your credit

People in your life

If it’s a family member, tough you have to learn to stick it out or address the issue. But anyone else that is just getting you down for no reason, tell them to get lost.

People that you don’t agree with or that focus on other things shouldn’t have priority in your life. Keep the ones you love close.

And if it is the ones you love that are not fully supporting you, seek out a mentor or a group of people that will provide you support and motivation for your idea.

You Fear the Unknown

Many people don’t start because of fear of the unknown. It is easier for us to continue to follow the routine we set for ourself, the habits we do each day.

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary but once you take that jump you will be wondering what you spend so long doing.

The Key Element is You

So how do you take control of your life and stop holding yourself back?

You first must realize that it is YOU keeping you here in this place.

Only YOU can change your destiny.

If there is a will, there is a way for YOU to accomplish it.

Stop Excuses

The first thing you need to do is to stop making excuses as to why you can’t do something and instead change your view to consider how you can make something work.

My favorite podcast is by Amy Jo Martin called Why Not Now? In this podcast she talks to entrepreneurs and inspiring people about the moment they thought “why not now?” And did something that scared them, or that they have been thinking about and haven’t pulled the trigger yet on, or just made that jump into.

The point is that you need to ask yourself “why not now?” Take what is holding you back and put it aside to find a way to get your idea done.

How do you stop holding yourself back?

Get Comfortable at being Uncomfortable

The best way to do this is just to do it. Get out of your comfort zone by signing up for something new. Make a commitment to getting this thing done. Map out a plan on how you will accomplish your goal. Then just do it. Be uncomfortable for the first 5 or 10 minutes. You will adapt mentally to the new stress and it will become less stressful the more you do it.

Just Start

Just the simple act of starting something will give you the push you need to work towards it. It’s like when you get writers block, they tell you that you should just sit down and start writing or practice journaling, because when you give it a go and start, you take a step towards the outcome you want and you always end up winning.

Make a Detailed Plan

Not everyone is talented enough to think about starting something, map out the whole thing in their head, and accomplish it within the hour.

Our mind usually wonders from one thing to another and the faster you can get at regaining focus the better. But that’s not to say that it wouldn’t help to have a detailed plan that you could reference occasionally.

Having a detailed plan of action can cut down on the decision making process and allow you to hone in on something immediately without the slow pace of getting back in creative mode after chasing around a two year old getting into trouble.