What happened in your past that’s keeping you from moving forward? How were you raised? Did your parents focus on negativity? Were you surrounded by “I can’t” attitudes? Did your teachers and coaches continue to tell you how average you were? Did a boyfriend or girlfriend destroy your self esteem, constantly reminding you that you were destined for mediocrity?

Answer those questions one final time; focus on what’s keeping you from greatness for one more minute. Finished? Good! Now, let me ask you another question that has nothing to do with your past: What will you do THIS MINUTE that will catapult you forward?

Figuring out your triggers, caused by past behaviors is important … focusing on them daily is the best way to stay in the same place for years.

What new habit do you need to create today? What action will begin the momentum needed for forward progress? Who needs to be emailed or called? Is there someone you know, or someone you want to know who can give you advice on how to reach your goals? What do you need to do right now?

Enough with your excuses – the made-up reasons why you haven’t been able to take quality action. When will you break the rear view mirror and only focus on what has to be accomplished? No one can make you decide … motivation without activation is completely useless. What’s it going to take to lose yourself in the probability of next level living?

Look ahead – what do you see in your future? How will it feel to accomplish everything on your goals list? How does success taste after fighting through all the obstacles and naysayers? Go there, mentally. Allow yourself to feel the decision that is self belief.

I was sent a message on Twitter (@CoachDayne), telling me how difficult this person’s journey has become and how much he’s thought about quitting. Trust me when I say how much I completely understand his “wanting to quit,” as I’ve been there in my own life. Let me also say this: The pain of the quit is much worse than the fight through the quit! Reread the last sentence a couple of times. Let it sink in.

I quit something in the past, that today, I totally regret; the pain of that quit haunts me to this moment. A few years after, I made a committed decision that quitting will never again be a possibility. When I struggle now, I use it as fuel for the guaranteed success I’ll eventually achieve. When obstacles continue showing their face, I remind myself there are only two options I’ll ever face: Work harder or stop, period! It’s a simple equation. Stopping will never enter my reality. Frustration is sometimes a piece of the daily puzzle, but discipline and passionate action will always override that short term pain.

So, to my Twitter friend … you may want to quit with every fiber in your soul, and no one can make you choose otherwise, but I promise it’ll be the worst decision you’ve ever made. Find your motivation again – what drives your need to improve? Why did you begin down this specific road in the beginning? Choose work, work, and more hard work in the end. The result of this continuous effort will blow your mind.

As I was preparing notes for an upcoming presentation, I wrote this as a topic of discussion: