Do the Difficult
Do the Difficult by Coach Jared MacDonald
It’s too hard. I am not capable. I can’t. These and many iterations of the same prevent many people from even starting, let alone succeeding, a path toward positive change. That change seeked can be physical, intellectual, professional, etc. They all share the same intimidation factor and once we allow that voice of fear to overwhelm our rational minds we give up and fail to begin. If this something you are struggling with in your own journey I want to encourage to be bigger than the fear. Don’t ignore, overcome it, use it for fuel! Below are six strategic steps to help keep you motivated and strengthen your resolve. Doing the difficult is a lot like physical exercise, the more repetitions you complete, the stronger you become.
- Brainstorm: Allow your mind to wander freely and allow yourself to create critical ideas
- Plan: Fail to plan, plan to fail and all that. A good plan will help you keep moving forward while trying to complete the difficult. The plan is your guide. Seek wisdom and guidance from trusted sources to help you plan.
- Commit: This step is crucial but often overlooked. If you want to succeed you must commit. A lot of times people look for the easy answer or pathway. Sometimes that works, but for the difficult it usually takes you on a long winding journey to nowhere. Share your commitment with someone to help hold you accountable.
- Relax: This may seem counterintuitive but it’s an important step and one you may need to come back to repeatedly. Relax your mind, breathe. Most difficult journeys are long and you will need to relax and refocus. If you rely on the initial rush of adrenaline to sustain your efforts you will tire and become overwhelmed. Rely on friends, family, or professionals to help you relax, restore energy, and quiet the mind.
- Overcome: Every difficult journey is going to have obstacles, otherwise it would not be difficult. Obstacles are not only in the way, they are the way. Overcome them, don’t try and go around if they are the way. Keep pushing forward. Seek out those who have succeeded in the same or similar situation for suggestions or help on obstacles in your path.
- Enjoy: This is a difficult idea but it will help you succeed. Enjoy the process, be flexible in your approach but rigid in your destination. Celebrate small victories. Reflect on how far you have come and don’t dwell on how far you have to go to reach the pinnacle. Share your successes and failures with others.
“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.” Seneca
“All things are difficult before they are easy” Thomas Fuller
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall” Confucious
