I don’t know about you, but when I first heard that where I was in life was my own doing, I fought it. There were, I thought, tons of reasons why I wasn’t in the realm of the rich and famous. Or even rich, nevermind famous.

What I’ve discovered of late is that I was wrong. I was exactly where I wanted to be. Or, more accurately, where I intended to be. My thoughts and actions up to that point in time were what determined where I was, not outside circumstances.

I think this is the hardest thing for people to own up to—that each of us is responsible for our own lives. It’s not how we were raised, or the challenges we were handed as children. It’s not the boss that’s holding us back, and it’s not your wife’s or husband’s fault, or your fifth-grade teacher’s. It’s not because you’re physically handicapped, or because you’re ugly or beautiful, rich or poor.

It’s all on you. Every bit of it.

Throughout your life, your choices determine where you are.

Your first and most important step on the road to peak performance, to improve yourself or your lot in life, is to take ownership of your life. Take responsibility for where you are. Own up to the fact that you got yourself here, all by yourself. When you do that, you’ll realize that just as it was in your power to induce yourself to mediocrity, it is also in your power to propel yourself to excellence.