It's been a rough week, and I'm really writing this more for myself than for any other reason...but I just feel like venting, and this is the one place I feel I can do that.

Every once in a while, I stop to think about what I'm doing, why I'm working so hard towards my goals, why am I killing myself, giving up things to get to where I'm hoping to go. 90% of the time, maybe 95%, those things are all clear. But once in a while, you have to take a step back and remind yourself. Because otherwise you will lose it, and lose your motivation.

This doesn't just go for a career, or your PR in the gym, or the type of girl you want to date, or any one particular thing. It's life in general. You should never have to hold back, you should never have to give in to any other person's ideas of what your life should be like, even if that person is yourself - just a shittier version of yourself. Never, ever go back on the principals you hold yourself too, even if it seems easy, and that it will bring you short-term happiness. This is something I think every struggles with from time to time. However, real hell, real unhappiness is living a life of compromise, a life of settling. I'm convinced that this is the leading cause of misery in every man's life - he isn't living it as his own.

I know all of this sounds very elementary, and most of the time, it is. However, occasionally, you need to sit down and think about this quickly when you're working hard to get somewhere or achieve something. And maybe, somewhere, someone else is thinking about this and will see this post.

So, quickly - be principled, even when it hurts. Even when it seems like in the short term, it will make your life hell. The rewards you will receive for holding to self-betterment are greater than any short-term bullshit this world can offer you for screwing around with distractions. It can be physically, emotionally painful sometimes. But it will all be made up on the backend, and many times over as well.