This Is How We Do It: A Pep Talk

by Kevin Hart

You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them. —Maya Angelou

Energy flows where attention goes, and some of that attention is just emboldening the negative forces in the world. There are many reasons for this, but one is because people who can’t get positive attention often opt for negative attention, rather than getting no attention at all.

And this is where we are starting: loving who you are today.

Success, they say, is where preparation meets opportunity. And there are two kinds of preparation: One is dedication to your personal craft, to the specific skill set you need to reach your goal.

The other is to prepare your life and your mind to find, embrace, and receive that success.

Remember these three words: Mindset. Is. Everything.

Positive mindset is so key because when you have it, it makes you completely free. It means you have somehow figured out a way to think about the bright side, no matter what. You don’t let yourself get stuck walking in circles, dwelling on the negative. You keep your head up and keep moving forward.

With a positive mindset, you can’t be stopped. You can’t be knocked down, at least for long. How can you be held back when every obstacle becomes an opportunity? When every trial and tribulation life throws at you becomes a gift to make you grow and become stronger?

Sometimes life is hard. But you know you can handle it and that every storm will pass.

What-is-ness is accepting everything for what it is. When shit inevitably happens: it is what it is. You are at peace with the nature of this new reality.

Sometimes we’re bitching and complaining about shit we can’t fucking change. Make the best of those moments. Complete those moments. And after completing them, move on rather than sitting there and letting it fuck up your day. That’s my suggestion. Be like water: allow, adapt, and keep moving.

Determination is about the appreciation of your individual journey.

What people don’t realize is that discomfort is temporary.

It’s a healthy desire to keep seeing what you’re capable of—to continuously grow, develop, increase your capacity, and improve your life and environment.

The smartest person in the room lets everybody talk, and they listen so they can get even smarter.

You have to stay connected to what really matters, which is how you feel about yourself and your immediate surroundings.