You have to cut out the noise of self-doubt. The first person that you have to convince that you are capable of what you deserve, and what you want, is yourself. Too often we fall into the paralysis of thinking one failed attempt at something is evidence of inadequacy. Even worse, sometimes we cease to attempt things because we think we are not good enough. Replace that “I can’t” that you so often hear, with a voice that says “I will.” Work harder, work smarter, learn from your failures, learn from constructive criticism, and keep fighting for what you want.

You have to cut out the noise of regret. I don’t remember where I heard this from, but there is a saying that goes, “Regrets are a waste of time, things in the past crippling you in the present.” We have all said and done things that we are not proud of; things we are ashamed of, and wish we could take back. Unfortunately, life does not have time machines or rewind buttons. You have to take the bad you’ve done and try to do better with it. Don’t dwell in things you cannot change and the past is something you cannot change. Forgive yourself and forget your regrets, and choose to live in each moment.

You have to cut out the noise of negativity. In your quest to accomplish anything or in simply trying to be better, you will come across people who only have destructive contributions to your endeavors. Negativity is contagious and you become the people who you are around so take care not to let them in, in the first place. Remember this little gem of wisdom from Mark Twain – “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you too, can become great.”

You have to cut out the noise of worry. Worry is one of the worst states of mind there is – it is a fear of the unknown; a fear of something that has not come to pass. Oftentimes, our worries only exist in our imaginations; imaginations that run rampant with countless things that could go wrong. When we worry, we lose clarity and we lose faith; we lose our power to live in the present. Replace worry with action; with positive thoughts, and with hope that we will triumph over the challenges that we will face.

You have to cut out the noise of indifference. The noise that says that your life doesn’t matter, that doing something good or great is only reserved for a few people. Your life matters in and of itself; it matter simply because you exist. I’ve always believed the worst state of mind isn’t hate, it’s indifference. Indifference allows us to believe that we do not have to participate in the world in a way that makes an impact. But as long as we are here on this earth together, we have a responsibility to leave it a better place than we’ve found it.

There will be many noises while we pass through life. Noises that will want to break our spirits; noises that will try to tell us that we are not enough. There will be noises that are deceptive, and noises that will try to destroy us. Pay attention to what you see, what you hear, and who you choose to be with – these could all be noises. Take in what is good in this world but you have to leave out what insults your soul; you have to cut out the noise.