M.A.D. by Cheyenne Glade Wilson

When you see the word “mad” what does it mean to you? I used to think of “mad” as being upset about something, but the meaning of “mad” changed for me seven years ago when I began my online health/wellness and coaching business. Even though I’m a fifth-generation rancher who literally lives in the middle of nowhere, I never let my location stop me from growing several businesses. One of the upsides of the internet and social media is that it can connect you to so many people all over the world if you utilize it.

I was suddenly surrounded by all sorts of positive thinking entrepreneurs who introduced new ways of thinking to me. One gal in particular struck me to the core when she told me about achieving goals. She said that she had to get “mad” in order to do anything well. She said “mad” in such a way that I asked her what she meant. She told me that “mad” meant “make a decision”. I was elated as I felt like I had just found Eldorado!

What she said made so much sense to me back then and it still does today. It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity going on around us or even the chaos of the world. We can feel insignificant or even out of control if we sit back and allow ourselves to go down that road. One way that I’ve found to grow beyond situations like that is to make a decision not to go there. Instead, make goals for yourself that scare the heck out of you. Be bold. Dream big. Never give up. You can achieve whatever you set your mind to. See it. Believe it. Achieve it.

We all only get one chance at this thing called life. It’s too important just to sit back allowing others to plan our lives for us. By making a decision about what you want you are signalling to yourself that you will not sit idly by and that you will not give up. There is no quitting…this is your life after all!

So, what is it that you want to do? What are you constantly thinking or dreaming about? What makes you happy? What sets your soul on fire? If you know what it is…awesome! If you don’t…figure it out! When you do, MAKE A DECISION about what you want to do and go do it. Yes, it’s that simple. We can make all the excuses we want in life, but they aren’t going to get you where you want to go. Shut out the noise. Cut down distractions. Don’t listen to naysayers. Listen to your inner voice. It’s telling you what you need to do. Perhaps the first step is to get “mad” about following your heart’s desire.

Just remember at the end of the road only you will look back on your life. Only you will see what you’ve accomplished and only you will feel regret if you don’t fulfill your dreams and goals. Make sure that you will be happy about what you will see. You are the captain of your own ship. Sail in the direction that suits you and do it with a smile on your face!

Cheyenne Glade Wilson is a fifth-generation rancher and a tribal member of the Oglala Lakota Sioux tribe. She and her husband and son own and operate the Lazy Six Nine Ranch. They have a cow/calf operation and raise half-draft and draft cross horses specializing in Percheron/Quarter Horse and Gypsy Vanner/Quarter Horse crosses. Cheyenne is also a health/wellness coach and leader, photographer, writer, and blogger. You can find her at www.thenativecowgirl.com and on Instagram/Facebook @thenativecowgirl.