Is It Ever Really Too Late?

Oct 10, 2022 | Monday Mindset

This is the Monday Mindset Newsletter that was sent on Monday 10/10/2022…

Good Morning, Team!

Recently my family and I went to watch the new Hocus Pocus movie at a friend’s house. For the sake of this email, I will call her “Sarah”.

Sarah had a big movie screen set up outside in their large beautiful backyard, she had delicious hot chili in the crockpot, all kinds of Halloween-themed snacks, and hot apple cider to warm everyone up from the cool autumn air…

It was a great night and fun to watch the sequel of a Halloween classic.

But amongst all the activities, what struck me the most was the fact that Sarah’s house was a place my family and I would not have gone to, just a few years ago…

I refuse to be anywhere near toxic and/or drama-filled people or circumstances. At the first sign of any toxicity or drama, I will pull the rip cord immediately if not sooner, and get the hell out of there.

I hate toxic people. I hate drama.

For those of you who have been following me for a while, you know that I have high standards of expectations for myself and those I allow in my circle. And I won’t compromise on that.

It’s a key element to why I have achieved the level of success I have.

And when it came to Sarah, a few years ago she was not on the right track. She was involved in drugs and alcohol, had been arrested for a DUI, and was surrounded by losers who were pulling her further down the path to nowhere.

Back then, my wife and I were more mentors in passing to Sarah and her young daughter. We were the only stable relationship that Sarah knew and were the only ones she could get sound advice from. So from time to time, Sarah would come over and ask for advice.

When Sarah got her DUI and lost her license for 3 months, my wife drove Sarah to her Cosmetology school every morning and picked her up every afternoon. Swinging by Sarah’s daughter’s school on the way there and back to drop her off and pick her back up.

We invested time and energy into Sarah because we could tell she wanted a better life for herself and her daughter but lacked the experience and support system to get them there. Sarah grew up in some tough circumstances and didn’t have much of a solid foundation when it came to others who loved and mentored her as she grew up. So she was on the path to repeating that cycle with her young daughter.

Fast forward three years to the Hocus Pocus movie night last weekend, Sarah, my wife, and I were talking about how far she’s come. Sarah has been seeing a counselor every week for the past three years. She’s sober and no longer associates with losers who act as anchors, rather than sails in her life.

She’s engaged to a doctor and they have a beautiful blended family they are building together. Her fairy tale wedding is right around the corner.

So here’s the point…

It’s NEVER too late to identify the areas of your life that you want to improve upon. It’s NEVER too late to cut out the toxic people, habits, and behaviors from your life. It’s NEVER too late to start investing in yourself and your future. It’s NEVER too late to break a cycle. And it’s NEVER too late to start building a better future.

If there are people in your life that you see the potential in that they may not see in themselves, help them by being a great role model. Mentor them and shed light on areas they may not be aware of. Have patience and grace for others as they work on clawing their way out of a lifetime of being on a less-than-ideal path.

I’m so glad we were those people for Sarah. I couldn’t be more proud of her and excited for her and her daughter’s future. It is a future that just a few years ago, Sarah never would’ve thought was possible.

But she did the work and she continues to do the work. She’s paying the cost of admission to earn her place in such a bright future.

If you happen to be one that is struggling and perhaps can identify with Sarah’s previous circumstances, commit to doing the work and show others you’re ready to break the cycle. Then find someone to help mentor you and show you a better way. As long as you do the work needed, more and more people will trust you with their time and energy, and continue to pour into you.

People helping people is powerful stuff.

Much love,

Matt

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