10 years ago I was ambitious but lazy. Through trial and error, I've built a disciplined life. Here are 11 mistakes that cost me years (and how you can avoid them):

1. Expecting quick results Transformation videos lie to you. ‘I achieved X result in 6 months.’ I used to be addicted to these videos. But they skewed my view on how long results can take to show.

Things changed when I picked one thing and went all in. I thought in decades rather than years. We crave instant gratification. We want everything right away. Instead, commit to a goal and expect to see nothing for 2 years. Then watch your compounding efforts kick in.

2. Changing goals too often This brings me to my second mistake. If I didn’t see results in the first few months I would change goals. I’d think it was the wrong target. Little did I know this just meant I was starting from zero each time.

- Pick a goal - Put an unreasonable amount of effort in - Continue for an unreasonable amount of time. With patience and persistence, you will get there. Repeat this: ‘I can’t lose if I don’t quit.’ - Alex Hormozi Eventually, you will strike gold.

3. Letting failure affect me After leaving university I wanted to be a sound designer. I got my sound reel reviewed by some people I looked up to. They ripped it apart (with constructive criticism). Instead of taking this and learning from it. I gave up.

It’s embarrassing to admit. But the failure crushed me. I forgot the purpose of failure. A baby doesn’t give up on learning how to walk after falling over for the 100th time. Failure is just a stepping stone.

4. Not learning from mistakes When we're in that heightened state after a failure we are primed to learn a lesson. Our brains are waiting to find out the lesson. Don’t waste that. I wallowed in self-pity after failing. I hate to think about the number of lessons I missed.

5. Caring about others' opinions Ever since a young age, I didn’t want to take the standard life path. But at every step, I was reminded to: 1. Get good grades 2. Find a career I slipped into the path already carved out.

I attempted to build multiple businesses whilst working my 9-5. But I cared too much about what other people thought when they failed. To live like the 1% you have to ignore the 99%. I haven't broken free from my 9-5 yet, but I no longer listen to people who question my goal.

6. Blaming over taking responsibility There was always an excuse as to why something failed. I never wanted to admit that the reason things didn’t work was because of me. As soon as I made the switch, my life skyrocketed.

When something goes wrong I ask: What did I do to cause this? What can I change to make it right? What belief needs to be altered? What character trait needs fixing?

7. Not having a beginner mindset I used to want to look smart. I didn’t want to say ‘I don’t know.’ I didn’t want to ask questions. I didn’t want to seem stupid. This stopped me from learning.

No one likes a smart ass. Saying I don’t know shows vulnerability. Saying I don’t know allows you to learn. Ask a lot of stupid questions and you eventually won’t be stupid.

8. Making plans instead of taking action I was the master at making a plan. The perfect roadmap towards my goal. It was the perfect procrastination. I tricked myself into thinking I was making progress.

The best plan is the one you take action on. I now barely plan further than the first tiny action. Once I’ve started I have a better idea of where I want to go. Then I can create an elaborate plan if it’s needed. The key is to just start.

9. Acting as if I'd live forever Being young, it’s hard to imagine the impermanence of life. Each New Year’s Day would roll by and I’d have the same goals and the same non-existent results. ‘This is the year.’ I’d say. I was acting as if I’d live forever.

The most effective people are the ones that can reduce the time between idea and execution. If you knew you only had 5 years to live, what would you do with your life? Travel the world? Share your knowledge online? Build a business that makes the world better?

10. Avoiding discomfort We are wired to avoid discomfort. But the best things in life come from struggle. Get good at leaning into discomfort and you get good at life. You can't avoid discomfort. The choice is whether you choose discomfort or whether it chooses you.

Do you choose the discomfort of building a business or the discomfort of working a 9-5 you hate? The discomfort of exercising daily or the discomfort of being overweight and unable to move your body as you wish? The discomfort of discipline or the discomfort of regret?

11. Letting ego dictate my life All of this list comes down to one thing. Ego. The thing that cares about opinions. The thing that fears failure. The thing that fears embarrassment. When you take your ego out of the equation, nothing matters. You're free to live your life.

11 mistakes that cost me years of wasted time: 1. Expecting quick results 2. Changing goals too often 3. Letting failure affect me 4. Not learning from mistakes 5. Caring about others' opinions 6. Blaming over taking responsibility

11 mistakes that cost me years of wasted time: 7. Not having a beginner mindset 8. Making plans instead of taking action 9. Acting as if I'd live forever 10. Avoiding discomfort 11. Letting ego dictate my life

That's all from me. If you enjoyed this thread and want more: 1. Follow me @Sam Williams 2. RT the first tweet twitter.com/iamsam_william…