Doing Hard Things

MUSINGS FROM A COACH - 11 MARCH '26

We must be tenacious with intent when doing hard things. When we do hard things, either mentally or physically, it's a challenge to keep going. Day after day, week after week, etc.

First, we have to carve out the most valuable thing in our lives, TIME, to even do this hard thing. We know it's hard, and making time for it in our busy lives is challenging enough.

Second, we must garner the will to START to do the hard thing. Maybe we have some momentum on our side after the last time we did this hard thing, and starting seems not so bad. But more often then not, we know what's coming - something hard - and we must bravely and intently move forward to start it.

Third, we must RESIST the temptation to stop doing this hard thing while we're in the middle of doing it! It's difficult, mostly not fun, and the easy way is to just stop or change the hard thing into an easy thing.

Maybe this hard thing we do is completing a goal of reading books, learning a language, or studying for a new class or professional advancement course. Maybe it's a parenting a family member, a presentation to professional piers or creating agendas for organizations we run. These could all be hard mental things we do regularly.

Or maybe this hard thing is athletics. Say, I don't know, endurance sports? Now we have something that involves both mental and physical hardship. We must plan, start and finish this often very physically hard thing on a regular basis. And mentally, we know exactly how this will feel before we even start.

So what's the upside to doing hard things? If we know they're hard - especially athletics that involve both mental and physical stress - why would we do them, and why keep doing them? Because...they're hard. ;)

It's the very fact that they are hard that keeps us interested, motivated and coming back for more. What hooks us all is accomplishing something that's hard - even when we thought we couldn't do it. And when that happens, we unlock a new understanding of ourselves. We learn that we can do much more than we think we can. This awareness of how powerful we can be opens up new pathways of confidence, positive self-esteem and purpose.  

Doing something hard is good for us, both mentally and physically. But it's not easy, and it doesn't get easier. That age-old saying, "It doesn't get easier, we just get faster" drives home the point. But when we finish that hard thing, when we look back and remember thinking we didn't think we could - and yet, we did - that accomplishment is massively empowering.

So whether you're doing something mentally hard or both mentally and physically hard on a regular basis, stick with it. KNOW that you can do it and will be better for doing it. I only wish everyone could feel the joy of that accomplishment.  

Gratefully,

Mark

CEO Team MPI