This is not just a punch line. This is not just an inspirational quote to post on your twitter to get a few retweets. This is a life motto for the elite in status. This is a way of living for those that are ready to take the world by storm instead of weaseling their way to success.

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!” -Hunter S. Thompson

Why Kick Instead of Kiss?

Besides the obvious reason that no one wants to be labeled a kiss-ass, it’s simply more efficient. You can get a lot farther in life a lot faster than anticipated by taking the unconventional path of making yourself, instead of letting someone else make you. At the end of the day, whatever work you put in should be benefiting you, first and foremost.

As long as you let someone else control your destiny, you will be destined for mediocrity. Put yourself in a position where your actions determine your altitude and how far you can go. If you fuck up, then it’s on you, but when you strike gold, you’re the one who gets to keep it.

Where and When Does This Attitude Apply?

That really depends on whether you want to be a one-hit sensation or a life long success. Apply it throughout the course of your life, from young to old, regardless of how much wealth or power you’ve already attained. As for where…this type of mind-set applies to all aspects of living. Not just career, but also in your social life, in your relationships, in your casual encounters during the day.

A person’s true colors show when the shit hits the fan or when confrontation arises. Have the approach that it doesn’t matter how many times or how badly life knocks you on your ass, you will get back up and hit life twice as hard.

How?

Get out there and start making things happen. Not getting laid enough? Not making enough money? Feel like someone is taking advantage of you? These are the type of questions you need to ask yourself and if the answer is yes to any of them, you need to get the ball rolling.

A co-worker just took credit for a project you did that impressed the boss; what are you going to do? Are you going to let it go because you don’t want to start a problem? Wrong answer. Approach that co-worker. Approach your boss. Show them both that you have balls of steel. If you get fired for the confrontation, consider it a favor.

Kissing ass in life can only get you so far. In the long run, your reputation will follow you everywhere. People want to work with, invest in, and be led by those willing to take bold actions, not those that let others walk all over them. Don’t be the passive type. Instead, be aggressive, be brash, be elite.

Elite.