Creating Value is Hard
I poured my entire morning into writing an article, hoping it would really shine. I dug into research, found video clips from some of the most respected thinkers out there, and then spent a couple of hours refining it. Yet, when I finally stepped back, the outcome frankly left me feeling quite underwhelmed.
Building something truly valuable, you find, isn’t a simple task.
Whether you’re launching a business, making art, or nurturing a relationship, there will inevitably be moments when your best efforts fall short. It’s quite easy to start feeling like you’re just spinning your wheels. And when the project means a lot to you, it’s particularly easy to let one disappointing attempt cast a shadow over your entire day.
That feeling? It was very much my reality about half an hour ago.
The article I’d just finished felt disjointed; it tried to tackle too many ideas without really landing on any practical, actionable takeaway for you. (My main aim, whenever I sit down to write, is always to offer something concrete you can use to lead a healthier life.)
In a spirit of transparency, I’ve decided to keep that article published. If you’re curious, you can find it right here.
Eventually, I just had to step away from the screen and get my pushup workout done for the day. (I’m currently aiming for 100 pushups in one go; when I finally hit that goal, I plan to share the entire program and everything I’ve learned with you.)
So, what exactly unfolded next?
Rather than letting that disappointing writing session mess with my focus for the workout, I made a conscious choice to embrace it, concentrate fully on the exercises, and in doing so, I actually managed to set a new personal best for pushups in one session.
While setting that personal record felt good, the real value lies in the lessons it revealed. In fact, these insights directly align with three fundamental principles our community holds dear…
1. A remarkable life, truly, begins with a solid foundation of health and happiness.
Fitness has rescued my day on more than one occasion. There’s just an undeniable quality to physical movement that brings the mind back to center.
Consider the highest achievers across any profession. How many of them do you find to be significantly unhealthy or out of shape? You’ll likely discover that number is quite small.
When you’re wrestling with mental challenges, often the best response is to get up and engage in some physical activity.
2. Choose to engage in the arena, rather than merely observing from the sidelines.
When you truly participate in the game, there will inevitably be days when you face significant setbacks. You might turn out work that’s just average, make poor judgments, or find yourself outmatched by someone sharper, quicker, or more skilled.
That, however, is simply the cost of entry. It’s the price paid for being immersed in the action, rather than just observing from the periphery.
It’s often far more rewarding to pursue endeavors that genuinely matter to you, even if it means experiencing the sting of frustration from setbacks, than to always play it safe and never truly challenge yourself.
3. Direct your energy toward what’s next, instead of simply retreating from what just happened.
Finding yourself hitting a wall with your current project? Perhaps step away and get in a solid workout.
Having trouble launching your business? Consider grabbing lunch with a close friend.
Feeling uncertain about your boss’s expectations? Maybe prepare a satisfying meal for dinner.
When circumstances aren’t unfolding as planned, the key isn’t to shy away. Instead, seek out something else that genuinely sparks your enthusiasm. Devote as much time as possible to activities that draw you in, rather than those you do merely to push frustration aside. Shift your focus to the next opportunity, rather than lingering on the last setback. It’s a seemingly small adjustment, but one that can genuinely transform your perspective.