In the beginning of the year 2013, I was a nobody. I was broke, boring, going to a day job, being a student, and just being bored of life. I wasn’t really entertaining myself or really doing anything. I was just wasting space and all my time and energy. I was a complete loser who was bitter and cold. I kind of had this ego too—big headed yet had nothing to show for it. I had nothing at all but time.
The dynamics of everything in my life changed, except my financial circumstance, all within four short months. This was accomplished by doing the exact opposite of what is conventionally accepted.
Basically, I did what no one in their right mind would ever recommend, let alone do themselves. I even asked people if I should do what I did prior to doing it.
Everyone said no.
Everyone.
But I did it anyways.
I went on a defamation streak, not of another party, but myself instead. I called myself a loser publicly and stated all my flaws.
In turn, people told me how much I influenced their lives. (I still don’t think I did anything and I don’t know why people look up to me. I’m no one special. I’m just Leonard.)
I stated how I had no friends.
Now, I have more genuine friends than I could ever imagine. (Especially Bianca N. Diesel, darn it didn’t let me tag you as Bi Anh Ka Donk…)
I expressed how weak and frail I am.
I was shown where to find the will to help me become strong.
I publicly spoke of how I over exerted myself and was scared of falling apart.
Others showed me genuine compassion and helped me prioritize my responsibilities in life.
I eliminated all my goals.
I ended up doing more than I could’ve possibly imagined than if I based my production off an outline.
I could take the credit for everything that happened. However it wasn’t me.
I didn’t do any of this myself.
It was an out of this world power that is just beyond what our imaginations could ever fathom (Call it mother nature, positive energy, serendipity, nirvana, science, God, the grand architect of the universe, that one animal thing that conspiracy theorists who make those weird videos on youtube think is the devil that the illuminati worship, or whatever you want to.). Backed by the belief and power of people. The people of our lives that we see. The people we communicate with. The people who were placed in our lives, for better or worse.
That. Changed. Everything.
If a nobody like me, who has failed at everything he put his mind to, lost all his possessions, pushed away anyone who has ever loved him, and surrounded himself in a cloud of loneliness and despair could find some kind of happiness and a sense of purpose in life, then so can you.
Take off the mask. Forgive yourself. Forget your past. Dismiss your worldly desires. Eat and sleep well. Exercise. Live in the moment. Come clean. Express your gratitude. Don’t worry about the future. Embrace change. Then move forward.
Be humble. Be hungry. Be honest. For who you are today is not the same person you will be tomorrow. Each day, as individual members of the human race, we either grow, or we deteriorate.
Take things one baby step at a time. Work on consistently becoming better. When the time comes, unleash your hidden potential, for there is greatness, or at the very least, happiness within you.
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Originally posted on Quora.
Leonard Kim is Managing Partner at InfluenceTree. At InfluenceTree, Leonard and his team teach you how to build your (personal or business) brand, get featured in publications and growth hack your social media following.