You are not a dumbass

A man--repeating his mistakes?

Wondering what’s wrong with you? If I learned anything in all the interviews I did for Beyond Fear, it’s that nobody has it all together. Everybody struggles, everybody doubts, nobody knows all the answers.

10 Mental quicksand pits and how to get unstuck

a small toy soldier is stuck in quicksand

We all feel stuck from time to time. Here are a few patterns I’ve noticed about being stuck and how to extricate yourself.

Obsessions and Love Potion: How I’ve Almost Ruined My Life (Again)

"love hate" and an arrow (this way!) written on a sidewalk

You’re overwhelmed, overbooked, overstretched. It feels like there’s no time to exercise or rest or do anything fun, yet you know those are the things that recharge you and make it possible to do the things you need to do. What do you do?

Stop letting fear hold you back and start doing what you want.

Overcome fear and follow your dreams.

Anything worthwhile that you can do, will likely scare you. You probably woke up today wanting more. But something got in your way, didn’t it? Fear. It’s time to overcome fear and start controlling your own life.

What’s holding you back?

A guy climbs over a barbed wire fence.

Many people have told me they wish they could quit their jobs like I have. Most think it takes magic or special advantages to do that–not true! Here’s the real story on how I followed my dreams, and you can, too.

It’s time for a new adventure

A pea plant grows despite numerous obstacles trying to hold it back

Fear is the common enemy that unites us. It’s time to break its hold. Just think about the great things you could be doing if you weren’t afraid. Then multiply that by everyone here at 17000 Days. If we took fear out of the equation and every one of us started doing the things we’re best and most passionate at, imagine what a difference we’d make in the world!

Big dreams and scary leaps: How I quit my job

triumphant girl

This is a story about dreaming big. This is a story about taking a chance and growing into the person you need to be to make things happen.

Why Denzel Washington told Penn grads to fail (and why we should, too)

graduation

“I had to come exactly because I might make a fool of myself,” said Washington. “I’ve found that nothing in life is worthwhile unless you take risks. Nothing.”

6 Common mistakes that can ruin your relationship

Two tense people having it out

Tolstoy famously said “Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” I disagree. Most people are unhappy in the same ways, and it’s mostly due to making the same few mistakes.