I recently turned 25 at the beginning of this year, and since then everything has seemed to click. Whatever social anxieties I may have had in the past are gone. Talking to people, man or woman, is easy and fun. I regularly shoot for the best version of myself, and find that allowing myself some over-the-top self confidence goes a long way toward achieving my goals. Even if I have to force it at first, it feeds into itself.

Yesterday was different. I didn't have to work early, so I didn't leave my room until probably about 2 PM. I spent my time browsing Reddit or FB rather than working toward my goals. I worked, and I worked well (I'm good at what I do), but I still felt like I did a year ago. I spent time with a woman I'm seeing, but my lack of self-invigoration effected our time together, and left me feeling strange about the interactions. Of course, that part was all in my head, and I didn't let it out.

The whole day I felt like I was backsliding. I was fighting myself to maintain my own inner frame. I realized that pursuing your best self is much like exercising. You have to warm yourself up right, and you have to prepare yourself mentally. It's easy to let yourself slip, and the backslide will self-perpetuate if you let it. It takes practice to be your best, and even when you think you have it mastered, you'll still have off days and more to learn. The good news is that every day is a new one.

Today was better. I woke up early, ignored my morning wood (if I don't, the whole day is shot), worked out and practiced my craft (musician by trade) all before noon. I learned something new and am now getting ready to work. Later I have more to do, and then afterward I'm going to go out to a great bar with awesome live music and meeting new people.

Don't ever stop shooting for the moon, and accept the off days as they come, because they happen regardless of how disciplined you are. The best you can do is pick yourself up and kick ass even harder the next day.