The search for yourself and your passions starts exactly where you are, open your mind and look at how you’re spending your life.

The day I woke up to life was upon my return from my first ever visit to New York City. I had seen hundreds of unique individuals living fast and working hard, it was intimidating yet there was something unappealing about these devoted employees that worked in those gigantic buildings. It seemed each individual lived with a desire to be noticed and to feel appreciated, yet no one would ever care nor stop long enough to notice.

I made a decision when I returned home, I was about 20 years old and I decided that so long as I live, I don’t merely want to exist, I want to experience life and claim my place on this planet. To experience what it will feel like to fulfill my potential, experience piece of mind, passion and prominence – and not being afraid to aim for it.

We’re given one life, just one!

Well one that we’re conscious of anyway so why waste it by not trying? Why waste it settling for someone who just happened to be there, when there’s another half of you to be found? Why move up the corporate ladder, when you’re so desperate to climb off? Why make more money when you’re not putting to use the money you have? Why suffer the company of people who bring you down when there’s a network of like-minded individuals out there waiting to connect?

There’s an uplifting feeling of bliss and acceptance when you enter a life of fulfillment and it’s so easy to start; just be honest about what you want. It sounds ridiculously simple and it can be, so long as you change your mind-set and apply yourself.

You can instantly begin channeling your life closer to your dream, you just require the motivation and hunger to spend your time working on discovering/pursuing your passions, as you live within your means.

Stop investing in a life that controls you and starting investing in a life you control. When was the last time you saved up for an experience that sparked the interest of your aspirations, or saved up to take a risk on yourself?

“So, what about me? I have responsibilities!” – I hear you and it’s those responsibilities you need to protect. Parents, what example do you want to set? Carer’s, what support do you want to offer? A leader needs to be a person of strength, inspiration and courage. You can’t effectively lead, if those you lead don’t have faith in you, and that can only be established if you have faith in yourself.

Be the best, or be the first!

How many of you reading this item are following the footsteps of a bad example?

If I decide to have children, then I’m making sure they learn the value of life and that it shouldn’t be wasted trying to attain the latest cell phone or what celebrity turns up on the internet naked. To be invested in becoming the best that they can be, and then aim higher than that.

Money, fast cars and homes that go on for acres didn’t motivate a man to step foot on the moon, they didn’t motivate athletes to win gold medals and they didn’t motivate people to fight for freedom either. They either had a mind-set to be the best or be the first. Anything that followed their success were simply perks that came with accomplishment.

Developing a mind-set that guarantees achievement allows you to leave behind a legacy, and the peace of mind in knowing that your life mattered.

Today, many people work to fill their lives with empty fulfillment that lasts merely moments. What have you invested in that will contribute to your legacy? The cars rot, the homes decay and money gets spent quicker than it does for your body to decompose.

Develop a mind-set to be the best or be the first and feed your life with meaning, purpose and a journey towards lasting fulfillment that will echo down through generations.