Success Isn't Inherited - It's Created

On Thursday I flew back to Vermont to see my Mom.

Going back home always stirs up a lot of emotions in me, it’s hard for me to stay focused on the life that I’ve created.

Not the life I came from.

I love that I’m from Vermont. I’m proud to be from a town of 2,000 people. And I’m proud to have gone through the struggles that I’ve gone through.

But it doesn’t mean that it doesn’t come with some baggage!

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Growing up in a small town means that everyone knows your business.

It means if your family is poor or dysfunctional - everyone knows.

When everyone knows your business, your business becomes your identity.

When I first went to college, I felt that nobody knew who I was, it was the first time I could be who I wanted to be.

I couldn’t run away from my old identity. Although I thought I could at the time.

Which just led to anger and depression whenever I had to go home and accept where I came from.

I was envious of the people around me who seemed to have an “easier life” and didn’t have to face the same challenges I did.

That would cause me to shrink my goals for my own life. And when you make small plans, you’re left feeling uninspired.

It was no wonder I ended up $100k in debt, addicted to drugs and alcohol, and feeling trapped in the crap I created. I was living life feeling sorry for myself!

Fast Forward To Today

I’ve since changed my mindset and realized that anger can also be used to fuel passion.

That “anger” helped me get out of debt.

It helped me grow my income and my net worth.

It’s gotten me to a point where I never would have dreamed.

And while I no longer feel envious of people around me, the thing I struggle with now…

I have a hard time feeling proud of myself.

I feel like an imposter!

I’m searching for the reason why these amazing things I’ve worked so hard for. I’ve cried over. I’ve prayed for. I’ve sacrificed for.

That for some reason I don’t deserve them. That I shouldn’t celebrate those things.

Or!

I think that’s not enough.

I came from nothing so I have to be extra successful to balance it out. But the balance never happens.

Our minds are weird like that I guess.

Where I Want To Get To

“Only with difficulty will a rich person enter heaven.” Matthew 19:23

It’s hard to humble ourselves and admit we need God when everything is peaches and cream.

I’ve come to realize that appreciating my past, even the hard parts, has given me the strength and perspective to pursue my goals with passion and resilience.

Had I not faced adversity, I wouldn’t be who I am. And the same goes for you.

I’m pushing myself to feel grateful for my hardships instead of letting them bring me down.

We need to lean into our adversity. It creates passion. It creates purpose.

We can use that as fuel to better our lives. Every sacrifice I’ve made, and every lesson I’ve learned, is a reminder that our challenges can be the foundation for the life we dream of building.

My goal isn’t just to achieve success but to appreciate the road I’ve traveled and use it as proof that transformation is possible for anyone willing to put in the work.

I wrote a “rap” about this topic (Eminem voice)