Recently, a couple of my friends fell on some hard times, and a few more of my friends are not quite happy with where they are in their life right now. Not being where you want to be in life is unfortunate – but what is even more unfortunate is that many people don’t realize that they have the power to change their own lives.

When I was younger, I always wondered where I would be at 30 years old. I hoped that I would be successful, rich, happy and famous – but I also know that just hoping I would be those things wasn’t enough. If I truly wanted to be successful, rich, happy and famous I would have to work hard for it. I would have to spend years working toward my goal and give up many nights and weekends of free time to get it. Sure, there were times when I had a meeting to go to after work, or a function to attend on a beautifully sunny Saturday that I didn’t want to go to – but I knew that if I wanted to be successful, I would have to sacrifice a day in the sun or a night at home relaxing to get there – and believe me – I sacrificed my nights and weekends many, many times.

So here I am – ten months before my 30th birthday and I am successful, happy, and somewhat famous – three out of four ain’t bad. But I did not get where I am by hoping I would – I got where I am by working my tail off and sacrificing my free time, my nights and weekends – and a few dozen gallons of blood, a river of sweat – and an ocean of tears.

So to my friends that have fallen on hard times, my other friends that are not happy with where they are – and to anyone else that wants to change their life – I ask you this question – the power to change the world is in which finger?

Your own.