Today I turn 19 and even at this age I feel like I’ve learned some pretty valuable life lessons from mentors, relatives, motivational speakers, and my own life experiences.

You’re never too young to teach and you’re never too old to learn.

18 was the worst and best year of my life. I started out 18 feeling nervous and unsure about my future. I knew I wanted to create a career for myself, but I was unsure if I could really do it. I decided to go for it and did everything in my power to try and make it happen.

Now at 19, I’m reflecting on this past year. I’m trying to figure out what “did it” for me so I can help you get through anything you’re questioning regardless of where you are.

Too many people listen to the noise of the world instead of themselves.

Commitment was one of the traits that kept me going. Design is one of the only things I’ve stayed committed to over the past 2.5 years.

You don’t have to be great to get started, but you have to get started to be great.

Hard work was another huge trait, ask my parents if they saw me leave my room more than twice a day. I had to throw myself all in and every single day, weekend, holiday and even when I didn’t feel like it I worked on something to do with design.

If you want to be the best you have to accept whatever comes with that.

Having a Good support system was another valuable asset that helped out a lot looking back. All my close friends were in college so I didn’t have them around but I did have parents who let me do my own thing as long as I was doing something. Don’t get it confused there was definitely a concern regarding my lack of a college degree and inexperience in the industry I was headed in. But the people in my support system had faith and knew that I knew what I was doing.

Sometimes you have to let go of good to get to great.

But the biggest trait I picked up on was becoming my biggest fan. I learned that if you don’t think you can do something you simply won’t. So I programed myself every day to see myself where I needed to be and even went as deep as writing it all out, I was pretty desperate not to be a 25 year old living with his mom and did everything I heard and saw to make sure that didn’t happen. I became my biggest fan and didn’t let any opinions, naysayers or even family come close to stopping me.

Dare to live beyond the good opinions of other people. Follow your heart.

I know you hear this at every seminar and in every motivational book but it’s true…that tiny voice in the back of your head that is telling you to go for it..IS 100% RIGHT! I went for a lot of things that mom, dad, friends no one was really sure of including myself but I have to say I’m extremely happy I failed forward continuously and encourage you to do the same.

Don’t ever let anyone turn your sky into a ceiling.

Just a warning, when you are your biggest fan you’ll experience criticism. You’ll be so you some people won’t be able to understand it. They will be mad or jealous. Learn to push them aside and continue moving towards your goals and dreams. You’ll gain haters, but you’ll also gain a ton of people who love you for who you are and you won’t have to go through life with 10,000 acquaintances; instead you’ll have 10 real friends who love you for you.

Believe in your flyness conquer your shyness.

I’ve accomplished 0.00001% of what god has planned for me, but this year I will accomplish more than I did last year and then some. 20 here I come!

If you found value in this, it would mean a lot to me if you hit the recommend button!