Challenges come to test your mettle. Brutal and scorching, they force you to be strong so that you can bear fruit. You can’t wallow in self pity and aggrandize about the emotional strain you feel. You haven’t time. The orange seed has timeframe for which it must grow into an orange tree and a season in which it must produce fruit. You, too, have a timeframe for which you must grow and develop and a season in which you must bear fruit.

You are the chair, chief executive officer, president and chief branding officer of the entity best known as YOU, Inc. It is your charge to direct and lead YOU, Inc. toward the achievement of your personal and/or career philosophy, mission, vision, strategy, goals and objectives. By partnering with your PBOD, YOU, Inc. can develop, grow and thrive. Here’s how.

What’s been holding you back? What have you allowed to restrict you from thriving? Whatever those things are, remove them. Holding on to detrimental things too long out of habit, convenience or nostalgia can degrade you, your confidence and your self-esteem. They can further limit your ability to accomplish your goals.