A friend sent me this article that really puts a new perspective on things. It replaces the question “What do I want?”
It’s easy to say what we want, right? Most of us want more money, a great career, a great relationship, a great work-life balance, a great body, etc. But just wanting something doesn’t guarantee that we’re going to get it, even if we’re clear on what we want.
What’s missing there is the willingness to struggle for those things. The better question is probably “What are you willing to struggle for?”
If you want more financial independence, are you willing to suffer through the long hours, the stress, the lack of freedom? If you want a great body, are you willing to suffer through the workouts, the self-discipline, the pain? If you want better health, are you willing to commit to the necessary willpower, to give up the bad foods and bad habits?
Most of us dream of the rewards, but think nothing about how willing we are to obtain those rewards. That’s not bad, it’s just reality. And knowing that about yourself could allow you to make more realistic goals for yourself based on what you’re willing to tolerate.
People who enjoy the struggles of a gym are the ones who get in good shape. People who enjoy long workweeks and the politics of the corporate ladder are the ones who move up it. People who enjoy the stresses and uncertainty of the starving artist lifestyle are ultimately the ones who live it and make it.
This could possibly be a better measurement for success. Take a look at where you currently stand. Perhaps you’re there and not somewhere you’d rather be because you weren’t willing to go through the struggles to get there.
This could open up a whole new perspective for you. A whole new direction of brainstorming. It’s not a bad thing if you couldn’t force yourself to enjoy the struggle. Just shift your thinking and figure out what struggle are you willing to go through?
