Have we lost the ability to do hard things?
Whenever I am on social media I'm consistently astounded by the sheer volume of trending content dedicated to hacks, tips, and tricks. Admittedly, I’ve learnt alot from Tik Tok - from how to write social media hooks to selecting the perfect ripe avocado.
The type of content that does not gain as much traction, is how to embrace the discomfort of doing hard things.
We live in an age where convenience is at our fingertips, where shortcuts are readily available, and where the temptation to avoid hardship can be overwhelming. Sometimes it seems like tackling difficult challenges is a lost skill.
I've frequently found myself caught between conflicting beliefs:
On one hand, there's the notion that "if it's not hard, it's not worth having."
On the other hand, the idea that "if the stars align, your path will be smooth."
However, I've come to this realization: while it's perfectly acceptable to opt for the path of least resistance when it comes to basic tasks, it's crucial to embrace the discomfort that accompanies personal growth and self-improvement.
You see, more often than not we impede our own success because we don’t challenge our mindsets, beliefs and behaviors.
This realization came on the back of the “small” i.e. less visible and sensational aspects of personal development I’ve been on working:
Trying new things despite fears of falling
Admitting that i’m wrong and apologizing for my mistakes
Overcoming procrastination, self doubt and internal resistance to keep showing up to do the work even when I don’t feel like it
Sharing my thoughts, learnings and experiences on video with others
Letting go for conditioned thoughts and expectations
By working on them through the years I’ve been able to make the big, visible milestone changes in my life e.g.
Break recurring relationship patterns
Move out of home without my parents approval
Mid career change
Relocate to Africa during the pandemic
Till today, I’m still working on these same “small” things so that I can grow and achieve my next big milestone.
The lesson here for me is: There are no shortcuts to our goals. Achieving big milestones in our lives requires embracing the discomfort of challenging our status quo, the courage to take action despite uncertainties and the resilience to accept delayed gratification.
What are your thoughts around this? Share any learnings that you have so we can all grow below.