As a kid, I designed architecture, invented skateboard tricks, and dreamed of building businesses. Creativity mixed with intuition was a recipe for success.

I wanted to build things. I was shamed for picking skateboarding and programming over SAT and AP test prep. What was the point of dedicating time to false indicators of intelligence? Instead, I wanted to build an Android app and spent hours online figuring out how to build one.

Programming became a great medium for my creativity. Building apps to solve problems and constantly learning. In a span of a year, I found my passion, obsessed about Elon Musk, and moved to Silicon Valley.

This was my prime.

I networked. I built friendships. I got internships. I attempted businesses. I built happiness. I became “successful”.

Most people are not prepared for the moment when they do achieve their goals. You become stuck and unsatisfied. The grind stops and you begin to live day by day not understanding what went wrong.

We have created false realities of achievement that blind us from our core inabilities and weaknesses.

For a semester, I was blessed with amazing roommates. They created an environment that allowed all of us to be extroverted, motivated, and content with our lives. We become comfortable.

That comfort distracted me from my lack of abilities socially, financially, and mentally. I was okay with sub-par work because I could go home and be okay.

As for everything, the environment came to an end. Lost an accessible source of dopamine and developed no skills. Environmental changes make us aware of our core issues.

Comfort and content for life indicates the lack of progression. You cannot be comfortable and motivated. This is when depression starts.

Picked up weed, lost a year, and prolonged the lack of progression. I stopped building things. I started to chase the past for my motivation, rather than build new passions and experiences for future growth.

Only training can begin a process towards self-improvement; however, our natural instincts tell us to avoid training because it requires more failure and disappointment before progress even starts.

Most people do not change until the brink of destruction. The best cycle through hard times, strength, comfort, and weakness constantly.

To begin improving consistently, set yourself for failure. Eventually, pain and improvement become synonymous. Improvement becomes an unconscious habit.

Comfort will come with new knowledge and skills. Only self-made comfort is acceptable.

At our most vulnerable states, the only viable solution is to start changing. A complete reformation of mentality. Physically, mentally, socially, and new passions to continue the drive. Do not depend on past motivators, it is a new day. Change your environment, change the people who influence you, and do everything for yourself.

Whether your goal is to become healthier, become a millionaire, become a man that goes down in history for his work. Action is the only way out. Experiment and create a catalyst for self-improvement.

The first step is to make small attainable goals. Achieve and continue to upgrade.

Build things.

Learn things.

Lift things.

Believe in things.

At any moment, you can change your mindset. Happiness is free and a creation in the mind. Transform your mentality towards self-improvement.