The Hard Way Is the Right Way

Focus. Urgency. Discipline. It’s not complicated—just uncomfortable.

Consistency looks boring until it looks like success - Better Everyday

I’m obsessed with being a lifelong learner and finding ways to improve. The more I interact with other professionals, the more I realize how low the bar is to be an ‘A’ player.

The older you get, the more chaotic your life becomes and days go by like minutes.

Excuses are endless — and often valid.

But it’s those that are focused and willing to work that will become the most successful.

I’m constantly reminding myself that the hard way is the right way. Recently saw a Jay Shetty clip that hit on this:

Everything that is good for me is hard before I do it and easy after I do it. And everything that’s bad for me is easy before I do it and Hard after I do it.

This conversation between Patrick O’Shaughnessy and David Senra is incredible. I’ve already listened to it twice and likely will keep coming back to it.

We are surrounded by distractions and I see people just wasting time and their talent. They become a cog in the machine and can’t get out of that rut.

I’m here to challenge you — you aren’t focused enough.

Days come and go and 99% of people don’t change. Well, learning is all about changing your behavior and taking action.

You can read all the books you want, listen to the podcasts, and go to all the seminars — but if you don’t apply the lessons or change your behavior, you’re just wasting time.

It’s not about turning over every single rock to see what’s the most optimal decision. It’s about making a fucking decision, learning from it, and you keep moving forward.

I don’t care what you do — sales, finance, lawyer, janitor. Whatever it is, if you want to be the best, you need to take it seriously.

As Frank Slootman alludes to in his book Amp it Up — Fuck Mediocrity.

Thanks to that podcast, I find myself yelling, “mediocrity is invisible until passion shows up and exposes it.”

Discover things that give you energy and that you are passionate about. Even if some people think it’s stupid — it doesn’t matter.

That’s how I got into this business. Helping people with their money gave me energy and I’m very passionate about it.

When you have energy, and you have passion, your potential is unlimited.

And don’t be afraid to speed it up.

I see this every day. No urgency, slow responses, laziness, and embracing status quo.

“Let’s circle back on this” or “I’ll get back to you in a few weeks”.

No.

How about a few hours or a few days?

Things go slow if you let them.

I see it all the time with people and their money. They know they should be doing things or you give them the blueprint but then they stay stagnant.

Or they spend weeks convincing themselves there is another way or the classic analysis by paralysis.

Successful people make decisions, move fast, and stay consistent. It’s not rocket science.

Set the pace and let others catch up.

Let me be clear — this is not for everyone and that’s ok. But if you want that life you obsess over on TikTok, you aren’t getting there sitting on your ass.

Continue to refine, continue to learn, continue to ask yourself what it is that you truly want.

Everyone thinks the answer is more money. I can confidently tell you that is not the sole solution to finding a life full of purpose.

We glorify the wrong things here in the US. We have an obsession with consumption — the nice cars, the biggest house, the fanciest country club.

I’m sure it’s nice at times but that is an endless rat race. Someone will always be wealthier than you and you will find yourself in an endless loop.

We need more people obsessed with building, who are focused, who are doing things that they are passionate about.

Even if you aren’t sure what you ultimately want in life right now, keep working it. Don’t get complacent. Your first job is likely not your last.

Identify the type of person you want to become and search for that internal peace.

Disclosure: This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.