Do Hard Things

“We have a strategic plan — it’s called doing things.” -Herb Kelleher, founder and former CEO of Southwest Airlines

“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion. ‘” -Muhammad Ali

Ever look back at on all the things you used to stress about when you were young–taking that test, writing that term paper, calling that girl or guy on the phone and asking them out (gulp), going on your first job interview, etc…–and thinking how easy those things seem compared to your life now? To the many challenges you’ve faced or are currently facing?

Yes, some of that’s perspective.

But I think the other part is this…much like training for anything, the more hard things you do, the more equipped you are to handle harder things. So when you reflect on your past, It’s not that those things weren’t difficult, they absolutely were. At the time. But because you’ve continued to live your life, you’ve continued to do hard things, you’ve built up your grit, capacity and skill, those things seem easier.

All this to say…don’t run from the inevitable challenges that life throws your way. Any chance you get to do something hard, especially if it’s aligned with what you want and even sometimes when it’s not, do it.

The more hard things you do, the more hard things you can do.