Reasons are the reason we do something or not.

There is one thing people are always asking me: how the HELL do you do it??

Let me elaborate on this. I’m 22-years-old, and I started my first job at 13 selling Avon products. Since then, I’ve never slowed down. Since I can remember, my life has been one huge balancing act. I always seem to have two jobs, school (or learning program), acting and modeling, and countless side projects to get rich. Yes, I have the complete entrepreneur mentality. I’m lucky if I get 5 hours of sleep a night, and I still have to find time to do serious personal upkeep like the gym, facials, hair treatments, etc. to stay in top shape. I am also the Business Manager of Honey Bellas modeling agency, and I do web development and photo editing on the side. You can call me the Jack (or Jill?)-of-all-trades. Did I mention I’m quite the shameless self-promoter?

There are many nights when I fall into bed at 2am and then wake up to my cellphone blaring at 5:15am. I could slap anyone who complains about waking up at seven.  Seven am means I went out the night before and I’m not completely sober yet. If you can’t tell by now, I’m kind of a workaholic.  I use my 10 minute breaks (which I am granted sparingly) to make business calls, and I read motivational books during lunch. So back to the question: How the hell do I do it? Well, the answer is because I have “My Why”: I do it all for my little brother and sister.

I’ve had this drive since I was a little kid. It came from the want for a better life for my family. As my little brother and sister got older though, my “why” became much more specific. I wanted a better future for them. I wanted them to have someone to look up to, and I wanted to give them opportunity and show them that ANYTHING is possible.

I can’t elaborate enough on how much your mindset is the basis, the ground, of everything you do. With the correct mindset, you achievement potential is unlimited. However, fall prey to shallow motives and you might find yourself floundering: You mindset might actually limit you and possibly block your ability to move to the next level. So how do you hone the winning attitude? Mindset begins with your “Why.”

If you rely on small or materialistic reasons, you will succeed for as long as your reason is applicable. Once the situation changes, you’ll struggle until you find a stronger motivation. SO, be sure to choose a goal that is deep within your soul. WHY do you want that car? WHY do you want a million dollars annually? Then, go even deeper. There is where you will find your “Why.” If your “Why” doesn’t make you cry, it’s not big enough. As Donald Trump always says, “Think Bigger.”

And so I think BIG. I strive for more every second of the day. And you know what? I’m not special. I’m an average person, just like you. But I found my why. For a majority of my life, I have been living in survival mode. As dramatic as this may sound (I am an actress after all), it’s life or death. Do your best and when you hit the wall and hang your head in defeat, remember this fact: it’s all about your mindset. Every wall can be a door. Now find the handle (Now the enlightened one would say the wall IS a door…but let’s not get ahead of ourselves).You don’t always get a second chance, in fact, engrave in your mind that your first chance is your only chance. It’s a feeling. It’s motivation. It’s the why that makes you cry. Think of yourself as Leonidas from 300. THAT is how passionate you must be about your “reason.” See your life as a battle.

Children, gather round! No retreat, no surrender; that is Spartan law. And by Spartan law we will stand and fight… and die. A new age has begun. An age of freedom, and all will know, that 300 Spartans gave their last breath to defend it!

- King Leonidus, 300

Do understand that this IS a process. This will cause change from within, and slowly you will become that person with a drive that cannot be questioned.

Your “Why” is invaluable because it:

1. Holds you accountable
2. Creates drive and motivates you
3. Pushes you through the most difficult situations.

I’m going to be very frank when I say this: Success is only meant for the great. You must fight for it. If you are not truly passionate about why you want to be successful, then those who are will take your opportunity. Find your true passion for life and run with it, don’t give up, and always work on developing your inner self. Follow these guidelines and you will find true success.