Success & Beauty is an Attitude

One of the main reasons that most people do not achieve their ultimate goals and dreams in life is because they are emotionally and psychologically unequipped to handle the loneliness and isolation that is required to evolve to the next level of success. When friends call and beg you to go out to the movies, get a bite to eat, or hang out at your favorite club you will be forced to decide whether or not spending time with them is the best use of your time, given that you have 2 exams and a research paper due within a week. Most of us will make the wrong decision many times before we do what is ultimately best to achieve our goals. I am going to tell you a secret. When you are in between stages of evolving to your next level of success, this is when you are most likely to be isolated by family and friends. You are psychologically in a cocoon. Listen carefully so that you will understand what is happening to you. There are many habits from your old lifestyle that you must shed before you can move to the next level. For example, if you frequently partied late into the wee hours of the morning, drank too much alcohol, or were involved with too many sexual partners these habits may prevent you from being able to focus on your academic or career goals with the degree of intensity that is required to be successful. Like most people, you will struggle initially with the ‘old you’ and the ‘new you’ that is trying to emerge. Instead of declining your friend’s invitations to go and hang out, you will say yes, and wake up the next morning thinking to yourself, “Why the hell did I go out last night?” Now the people who are already where you want to be will not find it appealing to befriend you just yet. These people are serious. They are much further along on their journey to success. They are not interested in people or activities that defer them from accomplishing their goals. When you become one of them psychologically, you will find the door of new friendships opening to welcome you in. It’s not so much that these people are your friends, per say; it’s just that you share the same psyche of interests and experiences and you will be able to relate and discuss issues of importance to each other. These are some points to ponder when you are trying to maintain friendships on the way to achieving your dreams: 1. True friendships never die, it may appear to fade during periods of significant change—but remember this is a necessary transitional stage in order to give you the space that you need to grow. A true friendship will stand the test of time while you are adjusting to your new role in life. Don’t let any one’s perception of who you should be and how you should act prevent you from making the necessary changes to make your dreams come true. 2. When you reconnect with your old friends, it will never be the same. The friendship will retain the most important roots that will connect you together, such as being able to share your most intimate secrets or playing poker. The love will remain pure, but you will enjoy your time together as well as apart...