"Dans cette vie, ce n'est pas ce que tu espères, ce n'est pas ce que tu mérites—c'est ce que tu prends"

The essence of this quote is that life doesn’t hand you anything just because you wish for it or feel you’ve earned it. It’s all about what you actively go after and seize for yourself. This paints a picture of a world where action is king. You can dream big or believe you’re owed something, but unless you make a move and grab hold of those opportunities, nothing’s going to fall into your lap.

Now, think about when and why such a thought might have been expressed. Maybe it circles around times of struggle or competition, where sitting back and waiting isn’t an option. In the heat of the moment, when stakes are high, or when someone feels cheated by life's unfairness, realizing that taking control of one's destiny is key can be a powerful motivator.

Consider the story of Elon Musk, for instance. He didn’t just dream about electric cars and space travel. Musk took massive, risky leaps—founding Tesla and SpaceX. When Tesla was teetering on the brink of failure, he didn't hope it would get better. He poured his own money into the company, worked relentlessly, and pushed boundaries to make it happen. He took control of his vision and made it a reality.

Applying this wisdom to your own life means taking concrete steps toward your goals rather than waiting for the perfect moment or for someone to recognize your worth. Let’s say you want to start your own business. You can talk about it, plan it, even feel like you deserve success because of all your hard work. But unless you actually take the steps—research your market, get funding, launch your product—it's just a dream. It’s about action, not just intent.

Now, imagine you're sitting at a coffee shop with a friend who’s frustrated about their career. They’ve been working hard, putting in extra hours, yet they’re not getting the promotion they believe they deserve. It’s disheartening, right? You might tell them, "Look, I get it. You feel you deserve that promotion. But sitting here hoping your boss will notice isn’t going to cut it. Maybe you need to have a direct conversation, showcase what you’ve done, or even look for opportunities elsewhere. You’ve got to take the reins—make them see your worth or find someone who will."

The beauty of this advice lies in its simplicity and its raw truth. It cuts through excuses and pushes you to be proactive. It’s not about being aggressive or inconsiderate; it’s about recognizing that inaction won’t get you where you want to go. Life’s a series of opportunities, and whether you’re ready to seize them makes all the difference.

So next time you’re pondering a big decision or feeling stuck, remember this: dreams are the starting point, but action is the engine that moves you forward. Don’t just wait—take that step.