The Hard Thing You Need To Do To Reach Your Goals

The Hard Thing You Need to Do to Reach Your Goals

By Coach Trev, The Accountability Coach The Accountability Advantage Newsletter

Not too long ago—and no need to dwell on exactly how long ago—I injured my foot. At first, I tried to ignore it, hoping it would heal on its own, but eventually, it became clear that my workarounds weren’t cutting it. Sure, I managed to get by, but every time I stepped the wrong way, a sharp pain reminded me that I wasn’t addressing the root problem.

To heal properly, I needed to do one thing: specific exercises. Simple as they were, they were also the hard thing. Despite knowing that doing these exercises would bring me relief and recovery, I kept putting them off. That is until I made a commitment: I would do the exercises once a day for seven days, and if I stuck to that, I’d increase it to twice a day.

The Hard Thing Blocking Your Success

This experience made me realize something crucial. We all have that “one hard thing” standing between us and our goals. It’s the task we avoid because it feels uncomfortable, inconvenient, or even daunting. For me, it was foot exercises. For you, it might be something completely different. Maybe it’s waking up an hour earlier, setting aside time to work on a business idea, or having an uncomfortable conversation that’s long overdue.

We know what the hard thing is, but we avoid it because the discomfort of doing it seems more immediate than the reward we’ll experience later. Yet, it’s often this very thing that holds the key to unlocking our progress and success. It’s the action that could move us from frustration to achievement.

What’s Your Hard Thing?

Now I want to ask you: What is the hard thing you need to do to reach your goals? What task or action have you been avoiding, knowing it could make all the difference?

It might be:

• Getting up earlier to carve out more time for your side hustle or personal development.
• Finding an accountability partner to help you stay on track and focused.
• Committing to that fitness routine you’ve been putting off.
• Facing a financial reality you’ve been avoiding and creating a real plan to fix it.
• Reaching out for help, whether through a coach, mentor, or support network.

Whatever it is, the longer you put off the hard thing, the longer you delay your success.

Practical Steps to Tackle Your Hard Thing

How can you stop avoiding the hard thing and finally break through to success? Here are a few practical steps to help you get started:

1. Acknowledge What the Hard Thing Is The first step is simply recognizing the task you’ve been avoiding. Identify the specific action that would most significantly move you toward your goal. Write it down. This makes it real and brings it into focus.
2. Start Small Often, the hardest part is just starting. So, break it down into smaller steps. In my case, I committed to doing my foot exercises once a day for seven days. Don’t overwhelm yourself by aiming for perfection or a massive transformation right away. Just start with one small step and build from there.
3. Set a Time and Place Don’t leave it to chance. Schedule the hard thing at a specific time and place each day. When you assign it a regular spot in your routine, it becomes less of an obstacle and more of a habit. Whether it’s setting your alarm an hour earlier or blocking out time for goal-setting, create consistency.
4. Accountability is Key We often give up on hard tasks when no one is watching. But when someone else is holding us accountable, it’s much harder to quit. Find an accountability partner, whether it’s a friend, coach, or colleague. Tell them your plan and commit to regular check-ins.
5. Track Your Progress Keep a record of your progress, no matter how small. This could be as simple as marking off days on a calendar, keeping a journal, or using an app. The visual reminder of your progress can keep you motivated and remind you that you’re getting closer to your goal with every small action.
6. Reward Yourself Don’t wait until you’ve completed the entire task to celebrate. Acknowledge the effort you’re putting in. Small rewards along the way will help you stay motivated, and it’s a great way to reinforce positive behavior.

Doing the Hard Thing Leads to Success

The truth is, the hard thing is never going to feel easy. But the more you avoid it, the more it holds you back from reaching your potential. In my case, I had to stop ignoring my foot pain and commit to the exercises that would help me heal. For you, the hard thing might be the key to hitting your goals, but you have to face it head-on.

The reward for doing the hard thing is always worth it. You’ll feel more accomplished, more in control of your journey, and you’ll move closer to the success you’re striving for. Accountability plays a crucial role in this process because it’s easy to give up when you’re doing it alone, but it’s much harder when someone is holding you to your commitments.

Let Me Help You Do the Hard Thing

If you’re reading this and realizing that you’ve been avoiding the hard thing in your life or business, now’s the time to tackle it. Whether it’s committing to a fitness routine, starting a new project, or facing a tough conversation, you don’t have to do it alone.

I’m offering a complimentary 30-minute Accountability Discovery Call to help you identify the hard thing standing between you and your goals—and more importantly, how to finally overcome it. Let’s create a plan to get you moving forward with consistency, support, and accountability.

Remember, success is often just on the other side of that one hard thing you’ve been avoiding. Let’s tackle it together, and watch how quickly you touch the sky.

Your Turn: What’s the hard thing you’ve been putting off that could move you closer to your goals? Share it in the comments, or reach out for support—I’m here to help!

Be blessed, and let’s tackle those hard things together. Visit talkwithtrevor.com to schedule your free discovery call today.