Take the Hard Way

Take the Hard Way

If each of us was asked about how we’d like to go ahead down a path; “Would you like the easy way or the hard way?” I know, even without personally knowing everyone reading this, an extreme majority of us would reply with “The easy way obviously!”?

??

Human nature has evolved over thousands of years to pursue that path of least risk, least resistance, and the safest and most reliable outcomes. Which is all super useful and practical if we’re out in the wilderness trying to survive and thrive. But we’re not living out in the wilderness trying to survive, we are building our social and professional lives in pursuit of our own definitions of success, meaningful impact in our careers, and developing our own selves to prosper in life. This means we need to sometimes question our natural instincts!??

??

Not all that long ago, I was listening to a speaker talk about their fear of public speaking. The topic was Imposter Syndrome, and they were referencing how public speaking is a very vulnerable thing to take part in. Especially as an individual who suffers from bouts of imposter syndrome (we all fight this by the way), when they stand on a stage and speak about at topic, they are officially opening themselves to critique, challenge, and being questioned. But they step on that stage anyway. Each time! Unlike the way humans have evolved, that speaker does not play it safe and avoid risk, they pursue resistance in the name of growth, and they go ahead onto the stage even when they don’t know the outcomes. They take the hard way over the easy one.??

??

Choosing the take “the hard way” doesn’t mean we are thoughtless or uncalculated. It also doesn’t mean we are winging it or unprepared. Taking “the hard way” means we avoid the desire to take short-cuts or stay in our comfort zone. Taking “the hard way” means when given a choice about doing something half-way or fully, we do the whole thing. Taking “the hard way” means we do what we know we should do, not just what we have to.??

??

A video clip has been circulating social media lately that shows football icon Tom Brady sitting in a barber chair getting his hair cut. While the barber is cutting his hair, Tom explains that “to be great, it doesn’t matter if you’re tired. It doesn’t matter if your body hurts. It doesn’t matter if you don’t feel like it. To be great, you need to do what must to be done anyway.” Tom is talking about taking the hard way.?

??

This week we will each be given the choice a dozen or more times. “Would you like the easy way or the hard way?” Let’s all take the hard way!?

??

“Easy decisions lead to a hard life. Hard decisions lead to an easy life."?

Sarah Long

CEO at Breck Inc.

4 个月

You guys unilaterally changed our contract and didn't communicate it, then want us to pay for a service that has none of the functionality we use anymore. Your response has been "too bad." Is that the easy way or the hard way?

回复
Eric Bruce

Social Media Manager | Mental Health Ally | Decade-long LinkedIn Alum

10 个月

Great read, Mark! Choosing the hard path fosters growth by pushing us beyond our comfort zones, leading to long-term success and personal development. This approach, while challenging, cultivates resilience and opens opportunities for a more rewarding life.

Michael Altshuler

Global Speaker | Success & Career Coach | Bestselling Author Breakthrough Barriers: Take your Life & Business to the next level. TOPICS: Peak Performance | Enterprise Sales | Communication | Value-centered Living

10 个月

The road to success is all uphill, baby! As they say, "the elevator to success is broken, you gotta take the stairs!"

Drew Stauder

Managing Director, Data Enablement

10 个月

Nailed it! If you need a good read, check out Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter. Great book that’s super relevant to your post.

GARY RYAN BLAIR

We Help You Accelerate Your Growth, Profits and Productivity I 675K + Members.

10 个月

The Greeks have a word in their vocabulary called an AGON. It signifies the exertion of struggle and great effort while pursuing a goal or worthy challenge. Competition and challenge were part of everyday Greek life…they were important tools in the shaping and forging of character. Each agon was designed to test one’s bodily or mental toughness and prowess in athletics, art, music, debate…all areas of life. The Greeks learned early on that life is one long string of agons …daily challenges that they were required to rise to and therefore incorporated them into their lives. What great adventure or challenge are you passionately pursuing? Do you really think it will be achieved without your commitment being tested…without being pushed to your limits…and without being permanently evicted from your comfort zone? Nothing of pride or of any lasting value has ever been, nor will it ever be created without an agon. One last point...A challenge is a form of finishing school. Once you’re able to rise up to take the hard way and meet the demands of daily challenges… you’ll be finished with self-limiting beliefs, finished with settling for less, finished with excuses, and finished playing a small game. https://100daychallenge.com/

要查看或添加评论,请登录

Mark Haner的更多文章

  • Growing Through Discomfort

    Growing Through Discomfort

    Rabbi Dr. Abraham Twerski, shared a metaphor that has stuck with me ever since I first heard it.

  • 100 Editions of Monday Morning Thoughts: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

    100 Editions of Monday Morning Thoughts: A Milestone Worth Celebrating

    Fifteen years ago, I started writing down thoughts, lessons, and reflections—sometimes for myself, sometimes for…

    9 条评论
  • We Can Do Hard Things!

    We Can Do Hard Things!

    “We can do hard things.” — Glennon Doyle Life has a way of testing us and lately, I’ve felt tested an awful lot!…

    2 条评论
  • Champions Adjust

    Champions Adjust

    A few weeks ago, I was in New York City for some meetings, and during a 1:1 with Sally Joyce, we found ourselves deep…

    4 条评论
  • Leading Through the Snow: Reducing Anxiety in Uncertain Times

    Leading Through the Snow: Reducing Anxiety in Uncertain Times

    A few years ago, my family and I were driving the Wind River Mountain Range on our way to Yellowstone National Park…

    5 条评论
  • Be Open to the New – Embrace the New

    Be Open to the New – Embrace the New

    In 2007, Netflix was thriving as a DVD rental business (anyone else remember getting those little red envelops in the…

    1 条评论
  • Fixing the Nets: Preparing for the Next Opportunity

    Fixing the Nets: Preparing for the Next Opportunity

    When fishermen aren’t at sea hauling in their catch, they’re often found on the shore, meticulously fixing their nets…

    1 条评论
  • It All Makes Sense (with enough information)

    It All Makes Sense (with enough information)

    Some of you may have already heard this, but recently while listening to a podcast, I came across the expression “all…

    1 条评论
  • Quitters' Day

    Quitters' Day

    Did you know there’s an annual “holiday” called ‘Quitters’ Day’? This year, Quitters’ Day falls on Friday, January 10…

    2 条评论
  • Reflecting on 2024

    Reflecting on 2024

    As the year comes to a close and we prepare to welcome 2025, we find ourselves at a perfect juncture to reflect on the…

社区洞察

其他会员也浏览了