Brave-Up on the OLC: 5 Things to Tell Yourself Everyday


By: jhyeh
  3281 reads

Life throws a lot of things at you. Some bad, some good. Regardless which bucket you throw it in, you need to realize that every day is special. No one day is the same. You can try with all your might to do everything the same - activity, time, and method - but you will never be able to get it 100% the same. There are just too many factors that influence each event in our life. Even something as small as a fruit-fly whizzing past our face can change things. Each day is unique in many ways and needs to be maximized to its fullest. However, due to the negative and pessimistic nature of our current society, this is incredibly hard.

To combat this, here are 5 things you should tell yourself everyday:

1. I believe in myself and my capability

A lot of people who have low confidence or self-esteem do not believe in themselves. Maybe it is because they are afraid of being judged by others or judge themselves too harshly. Throw that idea out! Believe in yourself! You are capable of doing anything as long as you put your heart into it - success comes to everyone through time and hard work. If you don't believe in yourself, how can other people believe in you? 

2. Today is a gift filled with opportunity

Be grateful that you were given the gift of TODAY. It is the best gift any being can give you. Why? Because it is filled with endless opportunities for you to grow. Whether you find yourself in front of a sturdy brick wall or a labyrinth filled with the unknown, every event is an opportunity to improve yourself. Remember to never stop progressing.

3. Everything will be all right in the end or else it isn't the end yet

You heard this when you were young and you'd hear this when your friends comfort you during tough times. It isn't the end if things are still not illuminated with rainbows and filled with care bears. So keep fighting and persevere through your challenges! 

4. Today is a good day no matter what happens

Most people differentiate between a good day and a bad day through a) the weather and b) the events occur that day. But for me, every day is a good day regardless of what happens or what the weather is like because I said so. Even a string of unfortunate events will not change it into a bad day. This is because, to me, a "bad day" is an excuse. You hear people say that they are having a "bad day" or "off day" all the time. Personally, I think it is an excuse because they don't realize that they have more control over their lives (and day) than they think they do.

Furthermore, most of the events that tips over our day into a "bad day" are actually events that allow us to grow and help others to do the same. Changing your perspective can be hard at first, but it is incredibly rewarding once you do.

5. You can't go back in time, so make those hours count

"It is observed that successful people get ahead in the time that other people waste." - Henry Ford

I know, I know. We're all guilty of procrastinating and being lazy. Class lectures can be boring and work may be dull. Isn't it more fun to text your friends during classes and chat with your colleagues all day at work? Yes it is, but guess what? You're wasting time. Like Henry Ford said, people, not just successful people, are getting ahead of you in the meantime. Theoretically, if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing during lectures and at work, how much faster and the higher chance of you getting a good mark or a promotion will be? Quite a bit I assume. So ask yourself, how much more can you achieve during your spare time? Tons! 

Jokes aside, in reality, the time you waste on things that do little to benefit or improve you will put you behind, maybe even make you take a few steps back. People are always getting smarter and stronger every moment. If you strive on competition or self improvement, you will want to do the same. More importantly, you can't get back those wasted hours either. Time is one of the most precious things in life. Use your time wisely and to its fullest! So if you have an hour date or 4-hour shift at work, make those hours count!


Jason is a Criminology major who is hooked onto policing as a career. But that isn't all, he is also hooked on helping others become the best and strongest versions of themselves. Through his blog, Brave-Up, he looks to educate, motivate, inspire and raise questions about counter-productive social norms within our society. "Man up" is now an archaic term - because Brave-Up is NOW. You can find Jason on Twitter at @BraveUp_jy.


Posted on July 07, 2012