Everything is Hard.

In business, just like in life, there's a universal truth we often ignore:

Everything worth doing is hard.

I'm not talking about the grind-for-the-sake-of-grinding mentality that's become a badge of honor in some circles of social media.

I'm talking about choosing your ‘hard’ - the idea that every path is difficult, so personal fulfillment matters.

I often think about why most people shy away from ‘hard’ stuff. I think it's because we've been conditioned to believe that success should be easy — like we see people parroting on sites like Instagram.

But there are two kickers:

1. Nothing worth doing is easy.
2. Success doesn’t equal fulfillment.

From 2003 to 2019, I climbed the career ladder, and was rewarded with bigger titles, more money, and a better network. And it was damn hard.

The long hours, the family sacrifices, and the constant battle to stay ahead in a race that seemed never-ending. And to top it all off, it was an unfulfilling kind of hard. I left work every day completely drained, instead of energized.

Then I pivoted.

I chose the path of building my own business. And guess what? It's incredibly hard too.

There’s the uncertainty, the weight of every decision resting on your shoulders, and the fear that it might all go away. But this hard feels different. It's exciting and it's 100% mine. Every outcome, good or bad, is a direct result of my actions and choices.

So, what's your hard going to be?

If it’s working a career and going the 'normal' path, that’s awesome. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that path. But expect that it’s hard and remember to be cognizant of your level of fulfillment.

If you’re not fulfilled? Carve out something of your own. Build a brand. Learn how to market yourself. There's never been a better or easier time. Stop talking about it and do it. When you do, you get to choose the hard that lights a fire under your ass and gets you out of bed with excitement every morning. Welcome to the world of the internet.

But the real question is, what are you willing to endure for the sake of something that truly fulfills you?

I chose my hard, and it's making all the difference. If you feel unfulfilled, are you willing to try something hard that has more personal upside?

Give it some thought. There’s no right answer.

But thinking about it might just redefine your entire approach to business and life.

That’s all for today.

See you next Saturday.