Darryl Waugh

Do what’s hard. Most of us gravitate towards what's easy, and free of discomfort. We do whatever we can to avoid judgment and criticism, especially after a setback.... The sting of life’s rejections can linger. But there is no growth in this safety zone. Prolonged exposure only leads to regression and complacency. Our goals seem to move further away and harder to attain. Growth only occurs when you step outside of your comfort zone. You need to be challenged and faced with real-life resistance. You either rise to meet these challenges or sit back down defeated, only to face a diminished version of who you know you can be. Shame and guilt are self-defeating emotions. Do not allow yourself to stay here. Yes, it can be unsettling to initially challenge ourselves but as you do it with consistency, it becomes second nature. You become increasingly resilient and fortified. The discomfort of growth is never as bad as the pain of regret. You already know in your heart what the right thing to do is. Be courageous and stay disciplined. Stay focused on what brings you closer to your goals. Life becomes far more meaningful the moment you choose to do so. #TheComebackAlliance

All of us are battling something internally. Something significant, unsettling and painful. When we constantly suppress it, we perpetuate our struggle and that intensify our issues.... We’re all human. We are all vulnerable and we can be deeply affected. There is no shame or weakness in this truth. Here are 12 important reasons to openly share your challenges. 1. It liberates you from suppressing debilitating negative emotions. 2. Humility fosters empathy which induces awareness. 3. People really do care. Your declaration will produce support, guidance, and counsel. 4. It diminishes feelings of emotional isolation. 5. Being open, vulnerable, and transparent will cultivate the fortitude to overcome. 6. You will provide hope and strength for others. 7. Sharing unifies those that need your voice. It is lonely battling our issues. 8. You will move beyond fears of stigma, rejection, and judgment. 9. Courage compounds making successive actions easier to do. 10. You’ll discover a greater purpose and meaning beyond enduring hardship. 11. It provides an opportunity to contribute to others. 12. The more we understand, the better equipped we are to help others. Always stand tall, stand proud, and never forget how important you are. #TheComebackAlliance

Don’t be a one-upper. You know the type. They’re everywhere. Instead of supporting and congratulating someone that is well-deserving, they immediately try to eclipse and diminish their accomplishment.... It’s weakness and insecurity. It’s the declaration of a fragile ego. They stammer on in an attempt at solo validation. It’s the declaration of a fragile ego. They’ve done more or battled through harsher times. Just ask them. They’ll tell you. They want the spotlight. They need the spotlight. Without it, their self-esteem takes a hit. It’s because there has never been any self-esteem. Do not be this person. Nothing is more important than supporting others and lifting the spirits of humanity. If you want to feel better about yourself, help others with zero expectation of anything in return. Be a beacon of support, strength, and possibility. Illuminate the way. Be a leader. That’s empowerment, fulfillment, and precisely what this world needs. #TheComebackAlliance

You will never be productive without consistency. Being erratic, distracted, and half-committed leads to a never-ending start-stop cycle. It’s disruptive and ineffective. ... The world is noisy and full of useless things to burn your time on. You cannot gain momentum sporadically. The most effective way to establish and maintain meaningful growth is by following a schedule. Wake up at the same time each day. Have a morning routine where you’re fully present in each task. Exercise, consume positive content, and express yourself in some capacity. What you consume first thing in the morning stays with you throughout the day. Make it count. Then map out your day and begin to tackle each task successively. Do this repeatedly day in and day out, even in the face of life’s chaos. Let nothing knock you off course. You will soon find that you’ve made significant progress, and you are stronger, more disciplined, and committed to your path. You’ve become a legitimate producer. #TheComebackAlliance

There is a reason almost all goal-setting programs do not work. It is challenging to move forward with conviction and purpose when you are held captive by your past. What typically happens is people define a goal, they gain a little traction and begin to feel good and then life presents additional resistance. ... It knocks them right back into their vulnerable mindset. They’re wrestling with exactly the same thing once again. The term reconciliation is used loosely. It’s not easy to grasp the magnitude of what it truly means. It’s serious business to overcome our past. You must do your best to face the harsh reality of where you’re coming from before you can ever sustain a goal-oriented process. How do you begin to overcome what you’ve endured? It all starts with forgivenessboth of yourself and others. Until you’ve fully embraced this truth, you will struggle to re-channel your energy effectively. And your goals will remain that much harder to attain. #TheComebackAlliance

You are not defined by what happens to you. You are defined by how you react to and what you do with your experiences. Life is going to present pain and failure, as well as triumph and glory. ... It’s all a part of your collective journey. Nothing is permanent. Take your harsh and challenging situations and learn from them. You will become stronger, more aware, and resilient. When you face what’s difficult, you become fortified. You get tougher. You’re far more capable of handling the difficult parts of life as you move forward. If you do not, your past will hold you captive and your potential will be diminished by these events. Do not allow that to happen. On the flip side, celebrate your victories but do so with humility and grace. Nobody is infallible. Though you succeeded today, there is no guarantee you will do so again. Stay aware and pay attention. Continue to learn and improve. Life is about adaptation. It’s a constant evolution. Take it all in and become the very best version of yourself that you possibly can. Never stop learning.

There is something beautiful within our painful experiences. It’s hard to see it while deep in the midst of struggle, but it’s there. It is a gift, a heightened sense of awareness. ... It is wisdom and acuity. It’s the six sense. Once you are beyond your challenges, you gain the ability to feel the bead. To see the truth, and to find it quickly. Life itself resonates on different levels. Your perception becomes elevated. Having run the full gamut of emotion for so long and at such intense extremes, you acquire a level of increased consciousness. Your awareness is magnified. Anyone who’s taken an excruciating journey understands this new found reality. It’s gaining the ability to empathize with others who are in the midst of their own struggle on a profound level. Compassion, humility and patience become deeply instilled. There’s an understanding of how people move away from what’s real and painful and move towards the false harbor of perceived comfort. You see human nature for what it actually is, not what it appears to be. You cannot buy this wisdom. It’s priceless. Never diminish the power of your journey. There’s something intensely moving and beautiful within it. #TheComebackAlliance

Have that difficult conversation. Don’t avoid it. It always sends the wrong message when you do. ... To the recipient, it’s a form of dismissal and a declaration of insignificance. It creates animosity and resentment. It also demonstrates your lack of confidence. Avoidance destabilizes relationships. It creates uncertainty, distance and a lack of trust. Just because it’s uncomfortable doesn’t me it cannot be overcome. Communicate. Be open, understanding and honest. Show respect, humility and appreciation. Listen. Anything can be resolved if you approach it the right way. #TheComebackAlliance

You have a choice in who and what you give permission to. Nothing should ever affect without you allowing it to. You set the parameters.... Never give someone who rejects, judges, or shames you the power to diminish your emotional well being. When you do, you relinquish your capacity to be present, your joy, and your potential. You turn your own power source off. It slows you down as you remain immersed in feelings of anger, confusion, and hurt. Nor should you ever allow an event to root the permanence of expectation. YOU ultimately control the essence of your experiences. You are the captain of your destiny. Navigate wisely with confidence, awareness, and the understanding that you must always keep moving forward. To linger in misery is to accept regression. Don’t do it. You deserve far more. Champions do not allow anything to sway their trajectory. It’s your domain. Protect it. It’s your permission. Remain vigilant and stand tall. Believe in your value, always. #TheComebackAlliance