Best time of your life?
The best time of your life and the feeling of momentum go hand in hand. Let me explain...
A few weeks ago, I stopped over my parents house for the Sunday night family dinner. It's sort of a tradition nowadays. And since my mom still is the best cook I know, I will never turn down a meal from her.
After dinner, I asked my mom a very direct question straight out of the blue. I asked her "Mom, when was the best time of your life?"
With tears in her eyes, she responded "When I had the energy and strength to play with you guys when you were kids".
I hated to hear those words. I don't like hearing that she believes her best days are over. You see, my mom has been battling with back issues, MS, and other ailments that has affected her life for quite some time. Her life really changed when she had the back surgery to install metal rods years ago. Ever since then, her mobility was never the same.
I wish to God she would have went to a Neuropathy Specialist/Chiropractor instead of a surgeon to fix her back. That surgery took away her mobility and it took away her momentum. Once momentum fades in life, it's really tough to get it back.
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She then asked me the very same question "Mike, when was the best time of your life?"
I answered without hesitation "Right now".
As you all may know, I am a big believer in personal development. The constant search for progress in every area of my life has given me the mentality: I hold the pen in life, so I can write the ending.
The moment I notice life slipping away from me or into a direction I do not want, I make a change IMMEDIATELY. Whether it was with my career, finances, relationships, or health, I have always been a man of action since I started a business in 2008.
The main reason was my belief in momentum. It's one of the hardest things to acquire. And it's even harder to keep alive.
My never-ending goal is to make the good times keep going, to never look back and say the best days are behind me, and to look forward to the next chapter just as much as the previous one. If my best days seemed to slip away, I do whatever is necessary to get that feeling back.
Each night as the moon makes its presence known, I am a little more sure of myself. I feel more seasoned, more polished, and more experienced to handle the tasks ahead. Knowing that makes each day more fun in a way.
I've made thousands of mistakes, listened to many wrong people, and spent time doing many unproductive things. Yet, I'm still here. Still traveling up the mountain.
Of course, my answer to my mom was a reflection of my mentality. But is was a reflection of my current state too - which I am meeting many incredible connections through my company, building strong relationships, hiring talented marketers and ghostwriters, and helping many people bring their story to life in bestselling books.
And if I wasn't, I would change what I was doing immediately.
My message is this:
Be careful of whom you listen to, associate with, and become like: Some will try to help you gain/keep momentum. Others will try to take it away (knowingly or unknowingly). Find the ones who help you find it and keep it. And do the same for them.
Be careful of your career: A temporary job could turn into a lifelong nightmare OR a big change of comfort zones could turn into the greatest decision you could ever make. Whatever you need to do to keep the momentum alive, do it. Whatever you need to do to get it back, pursue it.
Be careful of the "Mountain". Life should be journey UP the mountain. Not down. Never wait for someone or something to help you get there, when you know that's where you belong. Waiting too long will kill your momentum and force you to starve. Your best days are not behind you, they are in front of you. Use every sunrise to keep climbing.
In 2008, I told my mom I was going to start a business and make her proud someday.
I might not be able to go back in time and stop her from the surgery. I might now be able to fix her back. And I might not be able to heal her MS. But I do know her best days are not behind her.
How do I know?
Because momentum is on our side. Because life is about going up. Because I hold the pen, so I can write the ending.
Question of the day: When was the best time of your life? If your answer isn't "RIGHT NOW", then pick up your pen. You have work to do.
Video Credit: Van Halen
Song: Right Now
I do not own this song/video
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Mike Fallat helps entrepreneurs write and publish bestselling books. Then, teaches them how to use it as the ultimate marketing tool.
