By Cheval John

If you feel that things are not going your way, celebrate because the adversity can be a way for you to discover your strengths.

You might have aspired to play professional baseball, but had a injury that derailed your dreams.

Or wanted to work at a prestigious company, but they did not take any interest in you.

Though they are “devastating” events, it was a blessing in disguise because you were meant to do more with your life.

When I started college late in 2003 at 22 years old, I felt that I was behind everyone who were about to graduated with their college degrees.

I was thinking that if I had started college immediately after moving to Huntsville, Texas, then I would have been able to graduate at the same time as the others.

I had made up my mind that I was going to try and graduate with my Bachelor’s Degree as fast as I could.

Though I enjoyed college, making friends and learning my second language as Spanish major, I was constantly comparing myself to others who were making money in their jobs because of their degrees while I was working in the fast food industry during my time as an undergraduate.

When I finally graduated in 2009 from Sam Houston State via Lone Star College (gained Associate Degree in 2007), I thought I was going to join the work force because of the degrees.

However, I was wrong as I had graduated in the middle of the “Great Recession” and I was looking for work because I had quit the last fast food job.

I was angry, feeling sorry for myself and blaming people because I thought if I had only started college before 2003, I would not have been in this position in looking for a job.

At that moment thanks to my parents, I understood that I had a lot to be thankful for because I had achieved my college degrees despite graduating high school with a 1.9 G.P.A. that prevent most people from attending college.

If I had graduated in 2003, I would have missed out on the opportunity to gain valuable work experience in public relations, journalism, television, and radio.

Also, I would have missed out on covering Sam Houston State football consecutive national championship appearance in Frisco, Texas, the baseball team winning three consecutive Southland Conference Championships and three at-large berths in the NCAA tournament and of course, the Bearkat bowling team winning the school’s first ever, NCAA Division 1 National Championship.

So celebrate your failures because they are the lessons that will guide you to your eventual goals that will allow you to make the world a better place.

By Cheval John

Photo courtesy of www.blog.ezinearticles.com

It is true that we need friends in our lives to keep us company.

However, not everyone will be your friend.

Though you had a lot of friends in high school and was probably the most popular person around.

But when college arrived, everyone will go their separate ways.

That moment when you had a lot of friends was only meant for that specific season.

And that is a good thing because you might have some dreams that you want to fulfill and not everyone will be on board with your dreams.

So if you are surround yourself with people who do not believe in your dreams, you must make the choice to let them go.

If you don’t let the people who are holding you back go, your dreams will be squashed and you will be wondering what would have happened if you had pursued your dreams.

Thomas Edison had failed about 10,000 times before he invented the light bulb. What would have happened if he had listened to the scaredy cats who were probably telling him to give up?

*What if Michael Jordan would have allowed the negative review from his high school coach that he was not good enough to play basketball? *paraphrased

Thank God they did not listened to the doubters and kept on pursuing their dreams.

Mr. Jordan and Mr. Edison also surround themselves with the right people and cultivated successful habits like self-discipline, hard work, dedication and a tough mindset.

That is what separates the ultra-successful from the mediocre.

So if you want to be highly successful, you must let go of the people who are holding you back and develop the right habits.

Overtime, you will be able to fulfill your dreams and make the world a better place.

As for me, I am going to continue to spend time with friends on Twitter chats like Tamara McCleary, Rachel Miller, Brian Fanzo, Lorrie of Movy Stream and many others who are making people’s lives better.

I will also surround myself with etiquette experts who stay true to themselves and are genuinely humble even though they have achieved huge “success.”

And for the three habits that will allow me to achieve success, I will aim to continue to write everyday, read great books, blogs, magazines, etc. and watch inspiring videos from people who did not allow doubt or fear to stop them from achieving their goals and make other people’s lives better.

Finally, the two bad habits I will give up is comparing myself to other people and overcoming self-doubt.

What are the three successful habits you will develop in order to fulfill your dreams and make the world a better place? You can leave your comments below.