It's All About Me, Me, Me

Today’s piece deviates from my usual. It’s something I pulled directly from my collection of personal journals; snippets and thoughts I write to myself almost every day. I call my Journal, "Things I Tell Myself." The following is me communicating with me. It’s not meant to tell you what to do, how to act, or what to think.

On the other hand, if you find it valuable, take it for what it is: words that are meant to inspire and light a fire within.

My journaling, to date, has remained exclusive to me. But lately, I’ve considered sharing some of my entries with you or anyone else who wants to experience them.

Often, these thoughts are versions of things you may have heard or read before by people much more prominent than yours truly. But like so much of what I write and share, these entries represent what was on mind “in the moment,” relatively unfiltered and without concern for who else might come across them.

I hope you find today’s entry valuable, or at least worth the few minutes you spend reading it.

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Putting yourself at the forefront––of your day or your life––isn’t egotistical. It’s necessary. If we don’t put ourselves first, both in celebrating but also challenging ourselves, how can we be 100% present, supportive and loving of others?

Who’s going to stop me? (Only me.)

Think about it (and many have). If you want to do something, create something or accomplish something; if it’s yours, and it’s not detrimental to others or the world, no one is going to stop you … nor should they. People may discourage you, or try to say what you’re doing is silly, stupid or not worthy of your time. But what do they know, and why does it matter to them?

The answer is, “It doesn’t," or at least it shouldn't.

What matters is that you have an interest you want to pursue … a target you want to hit … or a dream you want to explore. And if you feel strongly about it, you owe it to yourself (and NO ONE else), to pursue it.

Who’s going to motivate me? (Only me.)

Don’t lean on others to get you fired up. While friends, family and co-workers might encourage you in the early stages, that will fade. And soon, you’ll be left on your own to keep the fire lit. The sooner you can get into your own head and figure out ways to stay focused and motivated WITHOUT outside encouragement, the sooner you’ll start making real and consistent progress toward your target.

Who’s going to push me? (Only me.)

Feeding off the motivational part of your mission, the question, “Who’s going to push me?” or more formally, “How will I remain accountable?” becomes a huge factor, whether your goal is to train for a 10K, pursue a side-hustle in pottery, read 100 books this year, start investing in your retirement, change your career, or the countless other things people strive to do but often let fizzle out over time.

Peers, professionals and groups of “experts” CAN help you, but don’t rely on them to be your fuel. This is about you, and therefore, you have to be both the doer and the catalyst in your own adventure.

People and groups are good, and they can offer periodic support and advice; but they’re not the primary force that will get you to the finish line; or to the next starting line.

Conversely, outside forces often create a scenario where you start comparing yourself or your progress to others. Watch for the signs because comparison is a slippery slope that can damage your dream, kill motivation and start to make you do things for the wrong reasons … and often, make you stop doing what you set out to do in the first place.

Who’s watching? (No one when you want them to; everyone when you don’t.)

My answer to “Who’s watching?” is this: “Who cares?” That’s the real question. And the answer to that question is this: “I care, and that’s all that matters.” And if what you’re doing matters to others, they will take notice and care as well.

It’s simple. No matter how hard I work, and no matter how intense my intention, I can’t force others to take notice, to buy from me, or to be a “fan.” So, I just have to put myself out there and see what happens. To create and do for an audience of one … me.

We often talk about what helps us succeed, but too often, we ignore or deny what holds us back. In short, we are the only ones who hold ourselves back. The good news? We’re also the primary drivers of our own success, whatever that is.

© 2026 David R. Haznaw