A lot of people have accepted a lot of things in their lives without even questioning them, and they are suddenly becoming a standard for them. Whether negative or positive, what you normalize in your life has the ability to shape your mindset, your thought pattern, behaviour, and ultimately your future. This is why you have to be intentional to know what you accept as "normal" in your life. What you welcome in your life has the power to remain. But much more than that, they can also affect a lot of things about you. ![pexels-shvets-production-9772692.jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSTzBYZm5gzjAGCNr4pzocNm7aaemfoUWoFFDEV9hL82Q/pexels-shvets-production-9772692.jpg) _{Image from [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/studio-shot-of-girl-writing-no-word-on-glass-9772692)} You may not notice this, but the truth is that the small compromises you allow, can become a major limitation over time. When you begin to normalize unhealthy habits, negative things, low standards, you will gradually begin to lower your expectations for yourself. When that starts to happen, what once felt wrong and unacceptable will begin to look normal, and acceptable to you. And once something begins to feel normal, it will become difficult to change it. It may start with "just once," but before you know it, it will become part of you. This is why self-awareness is very important. You have to regularly check your attitude, your environment, your habits, and even your mindset to ensure that you are not accepting what is holding you back. Here, we shall take a look at what not to normalize at all. The first one is that you should not normalize making excuses for failure. When someone tries something and does not succeed at it, they may be quick to look for excuses to give to make themself feel good temporarily. But what they fail to understand is that it also prevents growth. If you always blame circumstances or other people for whatever happens, instead of taking responsibilities, you will not improve and you will not grow. Making excuses as normal will only keep you at a spot. I am not saying that you should be perfect, but you have to learn to take responsibilities when you make mistakes, so that you can learn from them and become better. The second one is not to normalize laziness, lack of discipline, and procrastination. It may feel comfortable to delay a task that you need to do, or to avoid putting efforts, but at the end, it will destroy progress. On the same hand, when you always postpone what you are to do today to a later day, you are delaying your progress. It is discipline that will help you to build success. But when you constantly choose comfort over taking responsibilities, you will not only weaken your potentials, but you will slowly lose discipline. Do not allow yourself to feel too comfortable to the point that you feel that you do not have a need to take steps. When you start to welcome procrastinating your actions, before you know it, it will become a pattern for you, and it will not be good. ![pexels-picasjoe-11352518 (1).jpg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmQVEaom9by1cPrpoRwsTkCVG5SrSrqAmmj4fVkGM5uZWz/pexels-picasjoe-11352518%20%281%29.jpg) _{Image from [Pexels](https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-expressing-refusal-11352518)} The third one is; do not normalize negative thoughts. Your most dominant thought has a way of affecting a lot of things about you; from your attitude, to your actions, to your character, and even to your future. What you repeatedly think and tell yourself will become your belief system. If you normalize negative thoughts, you will begin to doubt yourself, and you will eventually become a limitation for yourself. But if you want to make progress and experience success, then you have to make positive thoughts your lifestyle. The last point is; do not normalize toxic relationship and poor influence. The people you allow into your life can influence your mindset in ways that you may never imagine. Anyone that would disrespect you, create negativity around you, or make you think lowly of yourself is not supposed to be allowed into your life. If you come in contact with someone and your life does not feel better, that means they are not a positive influence on you, and you should stay clear off them. Try to set clear boundaries of who and what you allow in your life. To grow and achieve success in life, you must be very intentional about what you accept. ***Thanks for reading***

Peace on y'all

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Be careful