Our journey ahead has no shortage of opportunities. Where we choose to invest our time and energy is a critical component to what that growth trajectory can be. So how do we maximize our valuable time and effort?

Check out these top 9 reminders of embracing yourself today while striving for your better tomorrow:

9) Expect challenges – the journey will never be linear. The ups and downs will come regardless. Accepting this allows the mind to prepare for facing challenges as opposed to letting the surprise throw us too far off our growth journey. Playing on the balls of your feet vs. your heels – Be An Accelerator

8) Assess the buckets you’re filling – we can be pulled in so many different directions. Reflect on which part of your life you’re wanting to excel and if time invested is going into those buckets. If your limited time is put in non-priority buckets of life, address this.

7) Pause and reflect – take time to pause in your journey and reflect on where the time and energy is being invested and if tweaks need to be made to better align with who you’re striving to be. Pause & Recalibrate – Be An Accelerator

6) Create a personal board of directors – evaluate those around you willing to be honest, demonstrate integrity, and challenge you to continue to grow. Personal Board of Directors – Be An Accelerator

5) Willingness to seek challenges – comfort is a magnet for running in place. To grow takes moments of extending yourself beyond comfort. Challenging the Best – Be An Accelerator

4) Accountability mindset – we don’t play the blame game; we play the accountability game. The journey will be far from fair but there are always elements of the journey we can control. Take accountability – this always will include our reaction to the events we face.

3) Relentless in minimizing perceived limitations – the person looking in the mirror is its own unique self. Not someone that can be limited by society norms or insecurities by those around him/her. Strive for your own beliefs, not what someone else will determine for you. April Fools Highlight Reel – Be An Accelerator

2) Learner mindset – come into each opportunity focused on what can be gained and learned to leverage for the future.

1) Be authentic – your journey is yours alone. Pick up clues from success around you and gravitate to accelerators that can provide momentum. Don’t try to be someone else – be you and determine only what you want in your journey striving for a better future. Picking up Clues of Success – Be An Accelerator

Anything you would add to this list? Drop comments below to help our Accelerator community generate more ideas.