I don’t often propose challenges, but I thought this would be important.
If you want to grow in nearly every area there is, you have to condition yourself to do hard things.
Why though? Hard things are not pleasant, they suck!
That is the point. Hard things suck for a reason. They are meant to challenge you and how you choose to react to that hardship is what will reveal your true character.
One time I was learning how to play golf for the first time. The game is much more than just swinging a club - it involves thinking about your next move, the precision of the shots you take, and thinking about your trade-off.
Trade-off in golf? Yes. If I am on a par 4 but need to get the ball over water and have already used 2 shots, but not confident in my ability to hit the ball far and over the water, I will have to hit the ball to a point just before the edge of the water so that I have a closer shot. However, I will only have one shot left to hit the ball in. My trade-off is sacrificing a swing to feel better positioned to get the ball over the water.
The same concept applies to doing hard things.
For me, getting up at 6 am is not exactly easy. It kinda sucks. It’s still dark out and everyone under the covers still. However, if I start the day earlier, I can get more things done earlier so I have more time later. If I decided to sleep in, I would be less productive. The trade-off is less sleep but more productivity or more sleep and less productivity.
What’s another hard thing? Exercise. Going for a run can be challenging or lifting weights can be difficult because you're pushing your body and putting a strain on it so that it can rebuilt itself stronger. A lot of people would rather not work out because it is HARD! But think of the trade-off, you can either push through tough workouts and be in great shape or not and risk health scares in the future.
What’s another? Investing in family time. Making time for family can be tough. You might have to make travel arrangements, plan events, and try to make ends with people you might not always see eye to eye with. The alternative is most likely spending all day on social media or games. Realize that family members are not around forever. Our time is very short.
The hardest things are the ones usually worth doing. They are the best trade-offs. Working out, building a business, spending time with family, investing in knowledge instead of comfort, giving yourself a challenge instead of living the same day over and over.
Do something hard today.
Til next week,
Luke “do something hard every day” Collura