Here’s the simple reality: an exceptional life does not come from average habits.

There are countless cliche phrases I could write right now that we’ve all heard repeatedly over our lives (what you really want is on the other side of your comfort zone…) but I won’t. 

You don’t get to finish the race, write the book, win the election, win the game, receive the recognition by living in the same habits you’ve been living in your entire life.

The change you so dream of has remained a dream because you’ve never REALLY committed to two things: consistency and discipline.

An exceptional life does not come from average habits.

You WILL have to make sacrifices. You WILL have to step outside of your comfort zone. You WILL be challenged and tested and pushed. This is when most give up.

How many hours do you think Lebron James has spent in the gym practicing? Taking the same shots over and over and over and over and over again. Is he immensely talented? Yes. Talent is only half of it. The rest comes from those 10,000 hours we speak of (if you don’t know what I’m talking about, google 10,000 hours to expertise and take a look). Also, fun fact, he didn’t start out as a professional basketball player. This may surprise some, but it’s true. He, like you, was once a mortal human child and awkward teenager.

Beyonce didn’t just become Beyonce. She worked and worked and worked some more. She may say she sacrificed her childhood. Was she always immensely successful? No. Discipline. Sacrifice. Commitment.

Ellen didn’t suddenly become the #1 daytime host. She has had a long, winding, and difficult career. Sacrifice. Commitment. Discipline.

You cannot live an exceptional life with average habits. Even when it comes to the Kardashian family. You may not love them, but they WERK. 

I say this because I’m reflecting on my own habits. Have I always been successful in my own discipline and commitment? No. Then I see time pass and I realize how much farther I could be if I had decided to stick with it. To fight through the discomfort and the “I don’t want to” and the “I’m too tired” and the litany of excuses we’re all really great at coming up with.

Join me today in taking this as a simple reminder of what needs to happen to get THERE. It’ll come. Discipline. Sacrifice. Commitment.