When was the last time you felt awesome? How long has it been since you even thought about how to be awesome?
Let’s be honest, there are times when we feel like a hunk of steak going through a meat grinder. Life can be tough. There are days when it’s hard to smile. We wonder if we can survive until the weekend. The weary old body thinks too much of giving up.
But there are some people who seem to have discovered how to be awesome. They have a bounce in their step and a twinkle in their eye. And many of these twinkle-eyed-high-steppers have known heartache. It isn’t that they’ve never faced tragedy or pain or suffering. Nope. They have discovered how to be awesome.
Before you think this article is for someone else, give me a chance. I want you to know that YOU are already awesome. Right now, this very moment, you have awesomeness running through your veins.
Don’t believe me? Here’s 3 reasons why I’m convinced you are already awesome.
1. You were born.
Think of the moment of your conception. As many as 1.2 billion sperm were shot into the tunnel and headed for the one egg. The competition was fierce. The odds of you being you, were one billion to one. To put that into perspective, the odds of you becoming President of the United States are “only” ten million to one. So the odds of you hooking up with the egg were ten times greater than you becoming president. You won! You and the egg hooked up. You are awesome.
2. You are still alive.
Some of the people you graduated with from high school are gone. They abused their bodies. They did foolish things. Others passed away through zero fault of their own. But you are still breathing. You didn’t jump out of a plane without a parachute. You didn’t take a drug overdose. Through the years you’ve survived. You are awesome.
3. You are reading this article because you care about improving your life.
You have a desire to make your life better. Maintaining the status quo doesn’t interest you. Instinctively you know there is more to life. And you are determined to improve it. Too many people our age have surrendered life to the fates. Not you. You want more. You are awesome.
Here’s the exciting news:You can be even more amazing. It takes work and effort. Taking awesomeness to the next level is difficult. I want to share six tactics which will make it possible for you to succeed.
Consider using any or all of these tactics to become even more fabulous.
How to be awesome tactic #1: Never give up.
The average person only takes the crap of life so long before giving up. They learn that being fabulous is just out of their reach. Like the donkey who finally realizes the carrot is just beyond his grasp and stops walking, they stop trying. Don’t be like that. The worst thing you can do is give up. Being awesome at the next level means you refuse to give up.
Here’s an infographic which gives solid advice on how to not give up.
"How to never give up on becoming an entrepreneur." ~ An amazing #leadership #infographic by @annavitals pic.twitter.com/VlU49buoaD
— Bobby Umar (@raehanbobby) May 17, 2016
How to be awesome tactic #2: Let go of the past.
I talk about this a lot. Maybe it’s because I’ve had a lot in my own past to get over. I’m not here to say it’s easy. But I can assure you it is possible to let the past be the past. Think of it like this: why would you want the past to have power over you? And if your painful past centers on someone who hurt you, why would you allow that person to still have power over you? Here’s an idea: Why not write out all the painful junk from the past, get it all out on paper, and shred it. Then flush it down the toilet. Walk away and declare yourself to be free. Being awesome at the next level means letting go of the past.
If you want additional information about letting go of the past, I wrote a helpful article on the subject called “Today You Can Let Go of Yesterday and Be Free Tomorrow.”
How to be awesome tactic #3: Accept the fact the world doesn’t revolve around you.
Nothing will keep you from going to the next level of awesomeness like being self-centered. People who think the world revolves around them make many bad decisions. They use people and things for their own purposes. It’s easy to lie, cheat, and manipulate because life is all about them. However, when we embrace that we are not the center of the universe, life changes. We value other people. We make better decisions. Being awesome at the next level means accepting the fact the world doesn’t revolve around you.
How to be awesome tactic #4: Understand what is most important in life.
People who do not excel at being awesome have failed to figure out what is really important in life. They still think, for example, that life is about money and possessions and power. Those are important things. But those are not the best things. Life isn’t ultimately about those kinds of things. In the end, life is all about love and other people. My favorite saying is, “Love wins, every time.” It might be too simplistic but it has served me well. If you are going to take awesomeness to the next level you must understand what is really important in life.
How to be awesome tactic #5: Find a way to give back.
Once you realize you are not the center of the universe and that loving others is what’s important, it’s easy to understand the need to give back. Many people have invested in your life. You are indebted to them. Now it’s your turn. It’s time for you to invest in others. How can you help them? In what ways, even if they are small, can you make this world a better place? When you find a way to give back to others, you have discovered how to take awesomeness to the next level.
If this tactic interests you, I’ve written an article on giving back to others called “Why Investing in Others is a Sure-Fire Investment.” Check it out.
How to be awesome tactic #6: Have a plan to finish well.
My dad, through his actions, had cut himself off from everyone. He died alone in a small rental house. My inheritance from him was one-third of the funeral bill. Clearly, he had no plan to finish well. Don’t make the same mistake. It’s important to finish well. This is not just so you can enjoy life, but it’s also so you can leave behind a positive example for the next generations to follow. If you want to take awesome to the next level, take time to develop a plan on how to finish well.
Since this is the ULTIMATE guide on how to become awesome, I need to tell you there is a secret key which unlocks these 6 tactics.
You make these tactics a reality by exercising the power to choose.
This might seem too simple to be true. But do not underestimate the power of choosing to make the right decision. It is an incredible power which can conquer or topple kingdoms. All you need to do is to make the firm decision to become awesome. Don’t allow past failures to hold you back. Refuse to focus on your inabilities; instead, focus on your abilities.
Are you having trouble believing it is impossible to be awesome by making a simple choice? So, you would also think it is impossible to fly by simply choosing to fly? If you doubt the power of choice, watch this brief video.
If the correct use of the power of choice can allow you to fly, then just maybe, it can make you even more awesome than you are right now.
This past week I was asked the obligatory question, “How are you?” Between us, I wasn’t doing all that well. Discouragement followed me like a cloud. My body had aches and pains. But when I responded to the question I blurted out, “I’m awesome!” In that moment I felt it become a reality. Yes. I’m awesome.
Being awesome is a state of mind. It doesn’t depend on your circumstances or bank account. To be awesome you must say it, live it, and believe it.
You are awesome. You now know how to be awesome to an even greater degree.
Now go and become even more awesome.
Really awesome.
Haha. Thanks Syed! Have an awesome day!
Well said
Thanks Laura. Have an awesome week!
It’s hard to think about the past when it’s a challenge dealing with today. However, I have attempted to use many of these tactics and have found them helpful in keeping on, keeping on. My most recent feelings of awesome are all about being a testimony to caregivers, of God’s love and faithfulness in these trials. Many of your previous recommendations I have used to prepare for the future of passing through this world. I want to finish well as God intends for us. Thanks, again, Randy.
Diane. You are a spectacular example of awesomeness! I hope you know how much you are loved and admired. In your recent hospital experiences God has provided you with opportunities to let the awesomeness shine through to others. Thanks for your friendship.
Man, I wish I could fly like that!!! um … never in a million years! :)
And there’s that pesky #2. Maybe #2 might be more doable if #3 were to be more diligently practiced!!
Awesome as usual, Randy. You are, that is. :D
Thanks Garry. Yes! To fly like that would be great but scary! I’ll stick to trying to be awesome.
Great post, Randy, as usual! It is very hard to let go of the past. Many times I think of many situations in which I could have done better. Things that most people have long forgotten about. Here is one: When I was in high school, I remember a boy, his name was Clyde. He was what we called “special Ed “, and he had a very large head-we said “water of the brain”. I remember one day in the hallway the starting football quarterback, Howard, was taunting Clyde. Howard had somehow gotten hold of Clyde’s shoes, and was tossing them down the hall. I can’t tell you how many times in my mind I stood up to this athlete, and tell him to stop. Sure, he would have beaten me up,but it would have the right thing to do. As I am writing this I feel a sadness still. Letting go of the hurtful past is not always about what others did to us, but what we should have done, but didn’t. I can never be awesome in that moment for Clyde, but going forward knowing that regret comes from not doing what I should, and try to be awesome until I take my last breath!
Wow. I’d never heard that story. Everyone stands guilty for failing to act when action was called for. I agree. Let’s try to be awesome until the last breath!
I like this post. And I think you have to feel pretty good about yourself before you can be awesome. Unfortunately, our culture promotes more self-criticism than self-love, but I guess that’s why we’re here: to help turn that balance around!
You make a great point. Our culture works against us.