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Overcoming Your Demons And Reaching Greatness Again

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Over the course of my life, I have seen some people face some really big demons. These demons have taken the form of broken relationships, drug abuse, violence, lack of purpose, failed businesses and the list goes on.

Some of these demons have scared people into living a meaningless life.

That’s because unless you face these suckers head on and overcome them, they’ll ultimately win. Their goal is to take away your happiness.

So thus far it may sound like a blog post full of nothing but bad news. That is wrong! I’ve seen these demons be tamed and be the cause for certain individuals to achieve greatness.

It’s often these demons that are the catalyst for something magical. You could say these demons are a blessing rather than a curse.

So if it’s so easy Mr. Tim then why is everyone not battling their demons and kicking butt? I put it down to four things:

– Lack of determination
– Lack of being present
– Fear
– Sheer guts and hard work

So can we implement a strategy to execute on these three setbacks? You bloody bet you!

1. Lack of determination

Your demons are big and ugly, and probably very hairy. The sheer sight of them is enough to make anyone want to give up and settle for a life of mediocrity. That’s why when you look at this beautiful planet you see so many people doing exactly that.

These people settle for living a small life full of no dreams, no goals and no vision to change the world.

“Determination requires you to be unwavering in your focus”

To be determined is to believe in yourself! When you believe in yourself, the size of your demons shrink, and they suddenly become manageable. For you to believe in yourself, you have to love yourself first.

So what you are saying Tim is that to be determined, you have to believe in yourself and that belief can only come from loving yourself? Are you completely delusional? Definitely not. I’ve studied all of the greats and this is the differentiating factor.

The people who conquer their demons believe in themselves and love themselves at the same time. This gives them the mindset to stay determined. You think when Nelson Mandella was stuck in jail and knew that he may never get out that he just sat there and lived every day with his demons?

OF COURSE NOT! The guy sat in prison every day looking at his demons with a big fat smile because he knew that one day he would show them who’s boss.

He waited most of his life to spend the last few years being the example for what believing in yourself and having love for yourself first, and then for everybody around us, can do. It’s the way he conquered his demons that is the reason none of us will ever forget the man!

2. Lack of being present

To battle these bad boys that we call demons, we must be present in the moment. The frustrating thing about demons is that if we are not fully present, we can’t see them. They hide in a dark corner somewhere and secretly sabotage us from getting our dream.

Every now and then they poke their ugly, red, fiery head out from the darkness and hurt us in a big way. If you don’t start to live in the present, then you’ll be forever operating from either the past or the future. In these alternate worlds away from the present, the demons will eventually defeat you.

It’s for this reason that this quote is so famous:

“The average person dies at 25, but is buried at 75”

Don’t be the person that dies at the age of 25 and lives the next 50 years hoping for the world to give them stuff for free like a pension, retirement, the lottery or a holiday to escape the madness. You can’t escape your demons you can only conquer them.

In the present, everything is so much clearer and you can see every detail of your demons including even the smallest freckle on their face. The present is how you get a chance to look at your demons in the eye and smile at them like Nelson Mandela did.

3. Fear

What’s holding you back from conquering your demons is fear. It’s that F word that should be considered worse than that other F word we all drop like it’s going to go out of fashion tomorrow. Fear is what our demons thrive off. Our demons rely on fear to scare you into thinking that all this time you’ve spent on planet Earth is for nothing.

Fear is what tells you that you’re getting old, or you should be married by now, or you should have kids already, or you should own a house or a ridiculously overpriced luxury car.

In my life, fear used to be at the steering wheel of my human body every day. Every decision was made based out of fear and it was like living in a horror movie constantly. Around every corner, it felt like someone was out to get me.

What changed for me was when I discovered personal development and figured out what fear was. Just like our demons, defining fear is challenging because it exists without us knowing a lot of the time.

“When I decided to step out of the darkness and forget about everything other than my vision for my life, fear stopped holding me back”

When I physically felt fear in the form of sickness, nervousness, or a shaking hand, I reframed what it meant to me.

I saw these physical signs as a demonstration that I was pushing the boundaries and no longer settling for second best. I finally decided to step into the light and see what all my fears would really do to me. Then I figured something out: our fear is nothing more than one giant bloody illusion.

When you actually try and decipher what your fear is, you can’t because it’s not real. The demons have you by the curly one’s because they know this to be the case and they’re hoping that you never figure it out. That’s why I’m giving you practical advice on how to overcome them so that you can reach your potential like I did after all of these years.

Key action:

Start spending time every day noticing your fears. They’re often disguised as indecision or nervousness around something. If you’re constantly over-thinking things then that’s fear also.

What I’ve found useful is to write these fears or experiences down. Then, once a week, read over them. As you start to see your fear, it loses its grip on you.

4. Sheer guts and hard work

Dealing with your demons and crushing them to pieces is hard work. That’s why the majority of people never deal with them. Every time you attempt to conquer your demons, it’s like running a marathon. It requires blood, sweat and tears to distance yourself from them.

As soon as something is hard, we don’t necessarily give up, we do one better; we put off taking action to some point in the future. Remember what I said before about the future? The future is some alternate universe where you live out a fantasy that we’ll allow your demons to win.

Dealing with your demons requires you to be bold and have courage. Like any battle, it requires time and significant emotional suffering. If you put in the hard work though, you get all the benefits of a fearless life.

A life in which you get to control what happens and ultimately have more time to yourself because you’re present. All those people like Richard Branson who you idolize live from this place. Richo didn’t get there by lying by the pool every day; he got there by taking a risk and working his ass off.

Summary

You’ll notice one thing if you read the four points above again: they’re all basically a way of thinking. The four points are there to get you to reframe your current perspective. The reason for this is that it’s in your mind that you will mostly defeat your demons, not in the physical world.

Now that you know what these demons look like and how they manipulate your life and lie to you, what are you going to do? I don’t want you to sit around any longer and live in hope. You are in control and all of your greatness starts with a decision.

You can’t make everybody remember your name for the rest of eternity unless you go out there and give them a reason to. Greatness can only stem from a place where all of your demons have been slayed and you are in control. Are you up for the challenge?

If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net
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Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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