Reflecting on the events that have taken place in your life, the people you have crossed paths with and the lessons you have learned along the way can serve as a catalyst to keep you motivated and focused on accomplishing greatness.

There is more than one formula for success. Everyone’s path may be a little different and each step even more unique, but we can all experience the same success at the end of the day.

Your road may not have been as clear as the next man’s. You may have jumped through twice as many hoops and more than twice as many hurdles to get the same result. That is OK. Your character is a reflection of your journey. You would not be who you are today if it was not for the experiences you have had in your life.

If your journey was full of adversity, you have a choice to make. You can use your journey as an excuse for why you can’t or won’t achieve, or you can use your journey as fuel to drive you to greatness. It is easy to say that you want something. It is easy to tell people what you are going to do. But actually doing it takes courage. It takes toughness. It takes focus.

Reflection is a healthy part of growing and helps you stay focused on what is important in life. Embrace who you are. Embrace your past. And most importantly, appreciate the relationships you have built along the way.

Work hard. Be great.

Travis B. Key is a four-time Academic All-Big Ten safety for Michigan State University and co-author with former teammate Ashton Henderson of “Beyond the Gridiron: How to successfully transition into collegiate football,” a detailed account of  what it takes to be a Division I college football player and successful in life. To learn more about their mission and purchase your copy today, visit: www.beyondthegridironllc.com.