I’ve been thinking a lot lately about who we’re becoming. Not in a vague, “someday I’ll get there” kind of way, but in a real, roll-up-your-sleeves, get-it-done sense. It’s easy to get stuck in the routines of life, isn’t it? We scroll, we react, we fill our days with tasks that keep us busy—but do they move us toward who we really want to be?
Thomas Jefferson once said, “If you want something you’ve never had, you must be willing to do something you’ve never done.” And there’s some serious truth in there. We all have this hazy vision of who we could become: more courageous, more kind, or maybe someone who just feels more fully alive. But change doesn’t come from thinking about it or agreeing with the idea. Change is only change when we actually change.
Richard Branson’s got a good one too. He says, “If somebody offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes—then learn how to do it later.” This is growth at its core! Recognize the opportunity, say yes, and become the person you need to be to make it happen. It’s saying yes to the adventure of life and then stretching yourself to fill in the gaps.
I had to ask myself a hard question recently: Who is the next version of me? What are his habits? How does he treat people? How does he spend his time? And the big one, what is he willing to let go of to become that person?
If you’re reading this and feeling stuck or uninspired, maybe that’s your cue. Maybe it’s time to do something that feels uncomfortable, something you’ve never done before. I know this because I recently found myself in that same place. I wrote in my journal, “Not a great sense of motivation, meaning, direction, or conviction in life at the moment. It must be time to do something hard.”
So, I decided to commit to an Ironman triathlon. Crazy, right? That’s 2.4 miles of swimming, 112 miles of biking, and then a marathon (yes, 26.2 miles) to finish. It’s daunting, exhausting, and honestly, it sounds awful. But here’s the thing... I’m not chasing the pain, the miles, or some shiny medal. I’m chasing the guy on the other side of that finish line. The one who knows what he’s capable of, who has grown through discomfort, who’s a little more alive than he was before. The early bike rides, the long, cold Denver runs, the life-rearranging training schedule—those are sacrifices, but they’re nowhere near the cost of staying the same as I am today.
That’s the choice we face, isn’t it? We can either choose discomfort today, and watch that investment grow into a better future. Or we can choose comfort today, and stay exactly where we are, paying the debt for that decision later.
What’s holding you back? It might not be something you need to add, but something you need to let go of. Sometimes we have to remove old habits or routines that are working against the person we want to become. Whether it’s doom-scrolling, overindulging, or being reactive to life, we all have things pulling us away from the version of ourselves we know is possible.
Here’s a simple challenge: start with just one thing. Let's let go of one thing that’s not helping you, or choose one challenge that moves you closer to the person you want to be. For some, it might be a small change—waking up earlier, drinking more water, or being more intentional with a relationship. Or maybe it’s a leap of faith—changing careers, booking that ticket, or saying yes to something a little wild. Whatever it is, take a step toward it today.
I’ll leave you with one last question: are you proud of who you’re becoming? Are you proud of how you’re treating your body, your relationships, and your time?
Life is short, my friends. Let’s not waste it. Say yes to the invitation of living life to the fullest. We all have the opportunity to Go Live right now. Let's do something about it while we still have the chance.
It’s time to meet the next version of you.