I talk a lot about the core value of honesty.

And the reason is...

Everyone is a no-good dirty liar. And it hurts us all.

If you want proof, here are 5 ways you can use honesty to transform the rest of your 2020 into the best year yet.

1. Get honest about what's going on in the community.

I dunno about you, but I hate the news.

It's so negative, so disheartening, that I just tune it out.

But even so, I don't tune out the BIG shifts happening in our world...like income inequality, race relations, gender fluidity, etc.

I don't fight those things. Instead, I try to move my mindset along with the flow.

Earlier this year, I told my editor to go through my book and make sure I didn't reference a he/she when, to some, that's not inclusive.

And perhaps you have an opinion on that particular subject...but the thing is, the only opinions that matter are the opinions of those who feel like they don't fit in.

Surely, at some point, you've felt like YOU didn't fit in. Did someone offer friendship in that hour? If so, I bet you were grateful.

This year, YOU can be that lifeline to those who don't feel like they belong. Get honest about how your community is feeling and you can spot these opportunities to make a big difference in someone's life.

What could be better than that?

2. Get honest about the others around you.

On the flip side, there are plenty of people who don't deserve your time.

Those friends who don't respect you. Who act all fake and shiz.

Those family members you can't stand. They suck...why do you hang out with them?

If anyone comes to mind then you know what I'm talking about.

But how's this for some honesty soup: Why DO you hang out with them?

Do you absolutely have to give them your time and energy?

Or, can you get honest about them and how they negatively affect you, and try to draw some boundaries around your precious time?

It's your life. You get to choose. Choose wisely the people to whom you give your energy.

3. Get honest with the others around you.

Getting honest "about" and "with" the others around you is two different things.

When you're left with an inner circle of people who love you and want you to succeed, don't be afraid to be honest with them.

Vulnerability is the new way forward in a world where we can all find other people blogging around the world with whom we can intimately relate.

Truth is, no one is all that special. Your story, unique as you may think it is, probably mirrors the stories of many others out there who could ease your mind...if only you'd be willing to open up and share your struggles.

And those people who love you? They want to know the real you.

So why hide? Maybe it's time to get honest with them to bring you even closer together.

4. Get honest about your lifestyle.

Look around at your life. Do you like where you live? Where you work? What your house looks and feels like?

Environment really matters. Putting yourself in a different location can literally change your entire perspective.

But most settle. Languish. Sit shackled in chains of their own making while binge-watching Caribbean Life on HGTV and wondering where the hell they went wrong.

But those house hunters all have one thing in common: They said to themselves, "no more bullshit...we're outties."

You can be outtie, too. No one is trapped. We have freedom and choices here in the USA -- so use them to change your circumstances.

Or make excuses. Up to you.

5. Cut the self-limiting bullshit.

There are a million reasons why you can't or won't or shouldn't.

But none of those matter except to the person who made them up: YOU.

Every time you say to yourself, "well, I have to this before I do that."

"I can't just achieve Y -- it takes X and Z!"

"People don't just up and make a decision like that. It needs time!"

Here's the thing: Nothing needs anything.

It's all in your mind.

All those things you tell yourself about what it takes to succeed, and what success even is, it's all just human construct.

Kinda like the stock market. It's FAKE. A fake thing we made up, with rules we made up.

Or like paper money. It's paper, people. It's only worth what we agree it is.

Same with you, by the way. You're only worth what you say you are.

So cut the shit. No more fear and anxiety. For what? People dumber than you make it every day, probably because they're too stupid to know any different.

Just cuz you're smart, don't be so smart that you box yourself into your own cage.

So, what do you think?

Are these 5 things kinda harsh?

Maybe they kick you out of a way of thinking. Or make you take an action you wouldn't have otherwise taken.

That's the point. Because if you don't get honest and get moving toward what you really want, no one's going to do it for you.

Cheers to the rest of your 2020. I hope it's honestly the best one yet!