There are many things in life that are beyond our control, but there are just as many, if not more, over which we have ultimate power. If you feel as though your life is out of whack and you are not on the path that you envision, chances are that one of these four things is the reason:

1. You’re Undisciplined
   Discipline is a crucial element in every single aspect of life. You have to be able to tell yourself “no,” and do things you may not necessarily want to do simply because you need to do them. If you can’t control your spending when trying to save money, effectively manage your time so that you get important work done, eat healthier and work out when trying to lose weight, or focus on your goals for more than five minutes, this is why. A lack of discipline is linked to so many bad habits. If you can’t control yourself you can’t control anything.
   
   
2. You Don’t Hold Yourself Accountable
   The first step to changing anything is taking responsibility for doing so. Case and point, every single item on this list is centered on you. If you constantly blame others for the circumstances in your life you cannot possibly do anything about them. You may not be able to control the behavior of other people, but you do decide whether or not those people remain in your life. Instead of looking for someone to blame, look for ways that you can hold yourself accountable and take control of the situation.
   
   
3. You’re Stuck in the Past
   Past hurts, missed opportunities, that person who broke your heart, the deal that didn’t go as planned – dwelling on past disappointments will cripple you. Thinking about things that have already happened will not change them. Live in the now. Focus on what you can do presently to impact your future. Forgive whomever you need to forgive in order to set yourself free, and then eyes straight ahead. The only time you should look back is to see how far you have come.
   
   
4. You Don’t Want it Badly Enough
   Do you really want to win? Because if you do you’ll get to work on whichever of the aforementioned three things is holding you back. If you don’t you’ll read this, get defensive or maybe even inspired, but do nothing either way. Achievement requires action. Whatever “it” is, you have to want it badly enough to engage in active pursuit.