If we take a look at the past, one thing is clear — those who have taken over a particular year have started early and kept their foot on the gas pedal. Take Future, for example. Some say he dominated 2015 and, whether you like him or not, you have to admit he had the juice! Here are three major keys to dominating 2016 in a similar way:

1. Consistency

When you’re consistent, you gain momentum. For example, Future was the epitome of consistent. He dropped Beast Mode to start the year off, then hit us with 56 Night, and Dirty Sprite 2. Later in the year, he and Drake proceeded with What A Time To Be Alive. Every track he dropped kept the internet ablaze. He went hard and didn’t let up. Rumors online say that he made $200k for a NYE show; that would not have happened a year ago. There’s no better time to be consistent than right now. Take action and stick to your guns. Whatever drives you is what you should be pushing toward. This is your time to get it!

2. Comfort zone

Do you ever get the feeling that you would be further in your career if you did one extra thing? It might be something terrifying, but you know deep down it would take you to the next level, or maybe you’re just too damn lazy to get it done. Either way, if you want to transcend into a new stratosphere, you have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. The more you put yourself out there, the more dope things will happen along your path. You don’t think Drake was uncomfortable when he reached out to ESPN about hosting the ESPYS?! He embraced the challenge and as a result, he took off to another galaxy and hasn’t taken an ‘L’ since.

3. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else

I’m going to be blunt here: NO ONE ELSE MATTERS! Your path is your own. The most common road to f#%ing up and losing your confidence is comparing your journey to others. There have been people I used to kick it with in Atlanta that blew up. I often used to compare myself to them and wonder why I wasn’t on their level. On the reverse, there were people that I’ve kicked it with that wonder why they aren’t on my level. That kind of thinking is straight up toxic. Everyone has their own journey. Set goals for YOU, smash ’em, then do it again. Climb, grind, reach and repeat! Focus on YOU, then step back and take a look back at all of the dope things you’ve accomplished in 2016.

Use these three techniques to dominate 2016. The time is now! This year will be LIT! I’m ready, are you?

How do you plan to keep 2016 LIT? Let us know in the comments below!

Stevie Zenith is a songwriter/artist/entrepreneur residing in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a member of the House, Rap, Fusion Group “The Spacesuit Junkies” and is also the founder of “AimforyourZenith” (A success blog and motivational platform created to uplift pop culture. The blog caters to millennial entrepreneurs, creatives, and the culture). Follow Stevie on Twitter, Instagram here or here, Facebook and at www.aimforyourzenith.com.

Stevie Zenith

Writing since January 2016 · 2 stories contributed