​From my new favorite blog, Dan Waldschmidt:

http://danwaldschmidt.com/2012/07/attitude/yeah-its-personal​

YOU SHOULD TAKE IT PERSONALLY.

It’s hard not to let your voice crack when you talk about it.

You’re upset. You can’t just “get over it”.

There’s nothing wrong with that.

It just means you care more. It means that what you want is wired into your core. It’s part of who you are.

And that makes it deeply personal.

Your goals can’t just be a series of tasks you put on your checklist. A “bucket list” of thrillseeking adventures isn’t good enough.

You have to etch your dreams on the inside of your heart. You have to wear your emotions on the outside of your sleeves.

Because achieving success is personal. Deeply personal. There is nothing more personal.

To be denied your dreams is to be held in slavery. It’s unfair. It grinds against the core of who you are as a person.

So it’s time we talked about it. It’s time we stopped pretending like achieving our dreams doesn’t really matter.

It does matter. A lot.

So start acting like it

Care about you.  Give to others. Inspire greatness in others.

Live without regrets.  Apologize when you’re wrong.  Stop complaining when things aren’t fair.

Expect to be misunderstood.  Shrug it off when it happens.

Go the extra mile.  Than go a thousand more.

Don’t stop when you’re down. Keep crawling forward.

Follow your heart. Avoid the crowd. Believe you’re worth it.

The difference is your attitude.

Not the world around you.  Not your critics.  Not the media.  Not your family.  Not your friends.  Not a better education or a “lucky break”.

You are the only one who can make your dreams personal.

So live with a “chip on your shoulder”.  Expect the unexpected.

Cry when you’re down.  And thank those who make you successful.

Live each day as if it is your last.

Make it personal.