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4 Things That Are Keeping You From Achieving Greatness Right Now

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If you’d like to learn what’s keeping you from achieving your full potential so you can improve your life and be great, sign up for the free 90-Day Master Class hosted by the founder of Addicted2Success.com, Joel Brown.


As we near the end of the COVID outbreak and enter the middle of 2020, it is vital that we shake off any post-pandemic panic and adjust our mental vision to see things from a 20/20 perspective. Despite any negative economic situations you may be experiencing as a result of those months sheltered-in-place, I want you to know that the power to change your situation and level up, despite these perceived setbacks, lies within you.

So, the responsibility to implement the solution to changing your situation and achieving that greatness you desire rests squarely upon your shoulders. The problem is that desiring greatness alone or just positively thinking that you can pull it off isn’t enough to actually do it. That being said, I’m going to share with you the top 4 things that will keep you from achieving greatness, if you don’t make some adjustments.

These are the same steps that I took during the shelter-in-place which resulted in me getting my first national article published, self-publishing my first book, and launching my first virtual live training course. By the way, none of these accomplishments were on my list of goals prior to the COVID pandemic.

1. Lack of Making a True Decision

This can be attributed to the absence of a clear objective that you’ve decided to accomplish in your life. I see so many people get this wrong. They think that they’ll get all the details to the big picture first and then they’ll get started. That is absolutely backwards. You must make the decision first. With that decision comes the tunnel vision that is needed to ultimately accomplish your goal and not quit along the way.

Once you have made this decision, you need to write it down and make it plain. You must understand that once you do this you have just birthed something new into existence. Something that if nurtured with faith and consistent action will one day grow into the physical manifestation of what you see internally. 

Remember that every company, book, product and invention began first as an idea in the mind of someone who made the decision to pursue and bring that idea into reality. 

“Big things start small.”- Jeff Bezos

2. Not Taking Immediate & Consistent Action

The next step is to take immediate action, even though you don’t really know what to do yet.  This is where so many people get stumped and stuck. They think they need to know everything to make their dreams a reality. The solution is really as simple as this: Take (2) actions every day which will move you a little bit closer to your goal. This will require discipline on your part, as there will be many times in your journey ahead when you won’t feel like doing what it takes for you to succeed. 

Trust me; I’ve been there and done that. You don’t have to know everything, but you do have to be consistent in your actions. The reason for this is because the answers will only be revealed to you a little bit at a time, as you keep consistently inching your way forward. Eventually, all of those little consistent steps will have an exponential effect which will skyrocket you towards success!

These micro-steps also help you to avoid getting stuck in mental overwhelm from your lack of knowledge or the perceived size of the task before you. My personal mantras while undergoing this process were, “Little Bit by Little Bit” and “Progress Over Perfection.” I hope these help you on your journey of greatness this year!

3. A Lack of Faith

Sometimes life has a way of humbling even the biggest of us, which can result in us feeling small and powerless. This was a common feeling that many people around the world experienced due to shelter-in-place efforts at flattening the COVID-19 curve. It’s during times like these that having faith in our abilities, and in the God who placed them within us, is crucial to achieving the greatness we desire.

It is helpful to believe that there is a God who made you and has an amazing plan for your life.  It is also equally important to have faith in yourself and in what you can still accomplish. Take stock of your life and look back over all of your accomplishments. Those victories and memories are not meant to be static; they are yours to access and to pull strength and inspiration from whenever, wherever, and forever.  

Assess what it took for you to achieve those wins and know that a winner is still inside of you.  He or she is waiting for you to dig deeper and see what you’ve really got inside of you for this next level. Since you’ve won in the past, that means that you can win now and in the future. 

Believe that no matter what may have befallen you this year, you and your God-given abilities are enough to transform the remainder of your year and make it something amazing!

“What you have experienced, no power on earth can take from you.”- Viktor E. Frankl

4. Being Cheap and Not Willing to Invest in Your Success

The old adage goes that it takes money to make money. While this isn’t true 100% of the time, it is accurate more often than not. Unfortunately, too many times we want something for nothing and aren’t willing to invest the time and financial resources necessary for our own success. I’m not saying that you have to be rich and invest tens of thousands of dollars in order to make it. I am saying that at some point you will need to make some sort of financial investment in your future.

For me that meant investing a couple hundred dollars in two courses that helped me to acquire new skill-sets, which I immediately began using to convert my ideas into cash. At some point, you may realize (like I did) that you need a little help from the experts and begin investing in yourself a little bit here and there through e-books and coaching courses. Maybe you’ll decide to invest in hiring a life coach or business development coach to help you navigate the turbulent waters up ahead, instead of attempting to go it alone. 

Even investing $12 in an e-book by an expert with proven results can help you compress time frames and yield impressive results in your own endeavors.

If you decide to put these 4 principles into action, I’m confident that the remainder of your year will be quite the spectacular one. Congratulations in advance!!        

What’s the accomplishment you’re proudest of this year? Share it with us below!

Michael “Diamond Mike” Dillard is a Business Development Coach, Author, and 6-time internationally ranked Top 1% Diamond Electrical Consultant. He is also the Founder of the Honolulu-based training firm, iOn Reliability Training & Consulting. Connect with Mike on Instagram @ionreliabilitytraining or friend him on Facebook.

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Life

9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World

Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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harsh truths for young men
Image Credit: Midjourney

Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

  • Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.

  • Read quality literature in your free time.

  • Nurture a strong relationship with your family.

  • Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.

  • Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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Change Your Mindset

Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Myth: Here’s How to Actually Make It Happen

Work stress doesn’t have to win, here’s how to protect your peace and thrive in any workplace.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

Starting a new job often comes with excitement and ambition. Yet, beneath that initial enthusiasm, many employees quickly encounter the reality of workplace challenges, especially stress. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Four Types of Happiness: Which One Are You Living In?

Most people chase success only to find emptiness, this model reveals why true happiness lies somewhere else.

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happiness model explained
Image Credit: Midjourney

In a world driven by rapid technological growth and constant competition, many people unknowingly trade joy for achievement. (more…)

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Success Advice

11 Mark Manson Lessons That’ll Redefine Success in the Digital Age

Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.

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Mark Manson life lessons on success
Image Credit: Midjourney

In 2016, Mark Manson released The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, a brutally honest, thought-provoking book that redefined self-help for a new generation. (more…)

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