Every step you take is an investment.

Every decision to do the difficult thing

is a gift to your future self.

Think about this for a second.

One of the many things that makes being human so incredible is our ability to engage in delayed gratification.

To do things now that will elevate us at a future time.

At a fundamental level, we understand that.

We've heard the famous marshmallow study where kids were left alone in a room with the

marshmallow placed in front of them and the ones who showed restraint and could resist

eating it ended up in many regards being more successful as adults.

We've all heard the mantras working hard pays off. That's valuable.

But I'd like to take it a step further.

Because when you say yes in the face of adversity,

when you move forward, when tired,

seek out a way amidst the chaos of life,

you are contributing to a foundation so powerful

that it will elevate you in ways outside your current level of awareness.

By simply saying yes, when I was unsure and often fearful, by continuing to write and speak,

I was unknowingly building these opportunities that would manifest years later, right? Many of which were not planned. They were not methodical. My dedication and my North Star never changed. I held on tightly to those, but the surrounding components were always moving and transforming.

People are in my life today because of steps I took five years ago.

I know things about myself and my hopes and my dreams because of risks I took when I was,

let's face it, too ignorant to understand their repercussions.

...