<ul><li>True, comparing yourself with others will make you miserable.</li><li>But it’s actually really hard to run your own race because there’s always someone else in your lane with a little more talent and their shoes already laced up.</li><li>So here’s some better advice: just run to where you want to run at your own pace. And know that walking is fine, too.</li></ul>

Running someone else’s race. 

<ul><li>The sad thing is that our worries about these people (who are thinking far more about themselves than they are about us) stop us from doing cool, brave things.</li><li>Or they make us lie awake all night staring at the ceiling fretting about what we’ve said or done.</li><li>Do your best to stop worrying what the world thinks of you. The world doesn’t care. Especially not about what you’re wearing.</li></ul>

Worrying about your reputation. 

<ul><li>We all have fears, we all have limitations. And that is okay. What is not okay is living inside them.</li><li> We get our biggest highs in those moments when we bust through a fear. When we do something we never dreamed we could do — or be. Acknowledge your limitations, offer them a tolerant but slightly bored smile, but don’t give them a seat at the top table.</li><li> Act in spite of them.</li></ul>

Being shrunk by your limitations. 

<ul><li>Code for addictions. </li><li>Code for keeping us on the couch. Look we do need fun. And ways to relax.</li><li> And a little bad food. It’s all okay, as long as we keep a lid on it. And put some actual effort into keeping our minds and body healthy.</li></ul>

Pizza, Beer and Netflix.

<ul><li>Napoleon Hill warned of the folly of sex obsession.</li><li>Sex is a healthy, fun, natural part of human existence, but when it takes over your mind as well as your body — well, just know you’re not going to be good for much else. </li><li>Ducking for apples — change one letter and it’s the story of my life.” ― Dorothy Parker</li></ul>

Your preoccupation with sex. 

<ul><li>If you work hard, the safe road might get you a house behind a white picket fence and some kids and a dog and a nice sofa and the very latest in kitchen appliances.</li><li> Which is fine, actually. So it’s unfair to call this a toxic habit. </li><li>It’s really just a choice. But it’s a choice that might deny you a shot at the big prize. Or freedom. Just saying.</li></ul>

A love of the safe road. 

<ul><li>Everything’s been done before. Trying to come up with “all new” concepts and be wholly original is exhausting.</li><li> So just take something that already exists in the world and put your own spin on it. As creative guru Austin Kleon so aptly puts it: Steal like an artist.</li><li> Or go wild: Take it a step further and cheat like a freaking champion. </li></ul>

Trying too hard to be original. 

Then you’ll need to step up to the plate and play in the big arena. Which means you’ll have to stare down hard at the things that will threaten your dreams. We all have bad habits. We all fall at…