We see it everywhere around us.

"It's been a hard day. I'll just have a few drinks, sit on the couch and watch tv."

"I have no energy to cook something that sticks with my diet plan. It's a good day to order a pizza and skip the gym"

"My girlfriend dumped me. Probably my fault. I should quit self improvement and take a 3 month depression vacation from my life"

And we all know that group of people who will be there for us when we're down. They're always available to wallow in each other's misery.

Self destructive people always find an excuse for bad behavior. They put their goals on the back burner and lower their standards every opportunity they are given. I'm sure there's some scientific explanation of why stress lowers our inhibitions and creates cravings for carbs, alcohol and nicotine, among others. The dopamine hit from binge watching television. That doesn't matter because we can control these actions. If you really want the best out of life, you need to create structure in your life that fights this effectively. You are supposed to be working towards your goals, not living like a drug addict seeking instant gratification.

The cells in your body give exactly zero fucks about excuses. They just do their job of processing whatever shit you decided to feed them. If you are feeding them protein and vitamins, they will grow muscle. If you are feeding them garbage, they will build a garbage body for you. The human body is like a car. A car that needs premium gas to run properly. Would you try to explain to your car that you were upset one day, got drunk and took a piss in the gas tank? No it's fucking stupid. Stop making excuses for doing the same thing to your body. You can't go out and buy a new body when it breaks down.

Your mind is no different. Stop feeding it garbage. The effects are not something you can pick and choose. Neural pathways are formed and reinforced without your consent. The subconscious mind will fuck you indefinitely. You may be fully aware of what you should be doing but can't stop.

Every time something shitty happens to you, use it as motivation to become even stronger. Don't give in to the voice in your head that says "It's ok, just one little fuck up today.. Everyone will understand.. You earned this" <- Most dangerous part.. You EARNED it. You earned the right to mistreat yourself, to set yourself back.. Instead of working on your education or your business or whatever you really want to do, you "earned" the right to sit on the couch with crumbs on your beard watching someone else live life? Ok, just remember what you earned, when three months from now you have not accomplished your goals.. And remind yourself how it's okay because a lot of other people do it too...

Every bum on the street is not there because they lacked talent or intelligence or ambition. The local bar is full of regulars who had dreams and goals. If you ask them, they will assure you that they still do. Something happened to them and they used it as an excuse to reward/punish themselves with cheap highs or needed to kill the pain instead of facing things head on. Over time the habits take over. If you think there is some huge gap between them and you, you're mistaken.

It's small choices that separate losers from average, and average from winners. It's a series of seemingly insignificant decisions that add up over time.. They sneak up on us in the span of years.

Do you really fucking want it? We all say we do, we all want that next level lifestyle. Then life throws a curve ball and it can either be an opportunity to rise to the occasion and prove yourself worthy of what you want or justification for why you lost.

This does not mean never enjoy life. Or never take a break. The point is to be aware of temptation and Decide to make better choices that are in your long term best interest so you have something to show for your trouble, in spite of your problems, instead of another sad story.