Expect the Hard: Embracing the Challenges on the Road to Success
Success isn’t easy. When you set ambitious goals, expect challenges—what I call the "hard." It’s the turbulence of growth, the resistance you face when striving to level up.
Imagine your journey to success is like an airplane taking flight. ✈️ When a plane takes off, it expends the majority of its fuel during the climb—why? Because it’s fighting against gravity. That gravity represents all the forces holding you back: fear of failure, self-doubt, external criticism, and even the comfort of staying where you are.
As the plane accelerates down the runway, it encounters turbulence. The takeoff isn’t smooth; it rattles and shakes as it pushes through the resistance of the air. Similarly, when you aim for something greater in life—whether it’s starting a business, learning a new skill, or leveling up in any area—you’re bound to face resistance. It could be external (like skepticism from others) or internal (like imposter syndrome).
But here’s the beauty of it: Once the plane reaches altitude, the journey becomes smoother. 🌤️ The same goes for you. If you can endure the discomfort, you’ll find that the resistance lessens, and the momentum you’ve built will carry you forward. Success requires that initial struggle, but once you push through, the rewards are worth it.
Another way of thinking about it is consider the first time you hit the gym after a long break—or ever. 🏋️♀️ The weights feel heavy, your muscles scream in protest, and the soreness kicks in the next day. That discomfort is your body adapting to the challenge. You’re literally tearing down muscle fibers so they can rebuild stronger. 💪
The same principle applies to personal and professional growth. When you set a goal, you’re working out muscles you might not even know you had. These could be your skills, habits, or even your mindset. The initial effort feels awkward and painful, but it’s the only way to get stronger.
Most people quit during the soreness stage. They mistake the pain for a signal to stop rather than seeing it as part of the process. But those who push through—who go back to the gym even when they’re sore—start to see results. The weights that felt impossible become manageable, and eventually, you’re lifting heavier than you ever imagined. In life, enduring the "soreness" of challenges allows you to tackle even greater goals down the road.
Growth is disruptive by design. It demands that we reevaluate habits, shed what no longer serves us, and adopt practices that align with our goals. This disruption can even unsettle the people around us who may be more comfortable with the version of us they already know.
To succeed, it can be useful in many respects to treat your life like a business. Imagine your goals and values as your board of directors. If something doesn’t serve the mission, it’s time to replace it. Small changes, like reading a book instead of scrolling social media or setting intentions the night before, can compound into significant progress.
Remember, every challenge strengthens you. Embrace the turbulence, endure the hard, and celebrate success in advance. Growth isn’t easy, but it’s worth it.
What I Want You to Take Away
Treat your life like a business:
Let your goals and values guide you like a board of directors.
Replace habits that don’t align with your mission (e.g., swap late-night scrolling 📱 for intentional planning 📒).
Embrace discomfort as a sign that you’re growing stronger.
Your most valuable asset is not your real estate holdings, nor your time, but rather your attention.
What strategies are you employing to keep your goals omnipresent in your life?
I took the Top 20 goals that would make the biggest difference in my life over the next three years, and created a document that I look at multiple times a day on my computer, iPhone, iPad, and today I’m going to create bookmarks with them listed for my journals and appointment book.
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The world around us wasn’t built by the exceptional. It was built by everyday people who were willing to do exceptional things. Go build something.
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