Striving for Success: Embracing Simple Yet Challenging Choices
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Simplicity
Reflecting on my experiences, I often ponder what might be the most challenging endeavor I've undertaken. Weightlifting stands out as a prime candidate. I vividly recall my initial attempt at a squat with 215 pounds. My goal was to complete three sets of five repetitions. The first set felt demanding, yet I managed to finish it. However, during the second set, the second rep felt disproportionately heavy, making it more daunting than it should have been. The third rep mirrored the struggle of a typical final rep, and by the fourth rep, I was battling discomfort. Ultimately, the fifth rep never materialized.
As I squatted down, the effort to rise felt like pushing against an immovable barrier, forcing me to lower the bar onto the safety pins. My coach, Adam, was not pleased.
"What happened on that last rep?" he queried.
"I just couldn't do it," I replied.
"How can you be sure?" he countered. "You didn't even attempt it. The bar was still moving upward right until you decided to give up."
We devised a strategy to encourage me to push beyond my perceived limits. If I faltered during a lift, Adam would start counting. Unless I was in pain or the bar began descending, I was to continue until he reached five Mississippi.
The following week, I attempted 215 again, only to find myself stuck once more. As Adam began counting, I thought he must be joking. There was no way I could complete that rep. "One Mississippi…" I thought, struggling just to hold the bar in place. "Two Mississippi… push harder!" I urged myself. "Three Mississippi… this is unbearable!" But then, to my shock, as he reached "Five Mississippi," I realized I had succeeded. Racking the bar after that lift was one of the most gratifying experiences I could imagine.
The fifth rep of a squat is as straightforward as it gets: lower the bar and lift it back up. It's the same process I had already accomplished four times before. Yet, while the concept is simple, the execution proves to be anything but easy.
Physical and psychological barriers amplify the difficulty of that fifth rep. Fatigue and discomfort weigh heavily on the muscles, while the mind urges surrender. To succeed, one must overcome both gravity and their own mental constraints.
A Simple Concept in Personal Finance
Similarly, personal finance often follows this pattern. The fundamental principles can be boiled down to a few words: spend less than you earn and invest the difference. However, putting these ideas into practice can be challenging due to both external circumstances and internal mental barriers.
Understanding that housing constitutes the largest expense is simple, yet keeping that expense in check can prove difficult. Striving to live within one’s means, especially regarding housing, is crucial for maintaining a healthy budget. Yet, many individuals tend to purchase homes that max out their budgets, or worse, they exceed their financial limits, leaving future selves with hefty mortgages.
Earning more money may also appear straightforward, but it is rarely easy. Whether seeking a promotion, launching a side business, or starting a new venture, initial efforts are often met with obstacles and failures.
Investing, while sometimes complex, can also be remarkably simple. However, the act of relinquishing funds that could enhance current living conditions for the sake of a hypothetical future is no trivial matter.
Voluntary Hardship: A Path to Growth
We exist in a world where conveniences abound. We are sheltered from harsh conditions, overfed, transported easily, and entertained by screens. This leads us to believe that a fulfilling life is one of ease. But what if we are mistaken? What if a meaningful life is inherently challenging and laborious?
The rewards of health, wealth, and wisdom often belong to those who choose the harder path to attain them. Moreover, the obstacles faced along the journey may significantly contribute to what makes life truly worthwhile.
The first time I completed a rep that took a full five seconds, I felt invigorated. It raises the question: why don’t I feel that way every day?
This platform aims to simplify the principles of personal finance to help you build wealth, achieve freedom, and address your financial dilemmas. While I strive for clarity, I cannot make the process easy.
If it were truly easy, we would all be billionaires with perfect physiques. Your journey in life will depend on your ability to confront voluntary hardships. The intersection of simplicity and challenge is where true growth occurs.
- The phrase “billionaires with perfect abs” is attributed to Derek Sivers, originally cited in Tim Ferriss’s book, Tools of Titans.
Chapter 2: Understanding the Nature of Effort
The first video, "Simple Doesn't Mean Easy," delves into the nuances of effort and simplicity in various life challenges.
The second video, "Why 'Simple' Doesn't Mean 'Easy,'" further explores the complexities behind seemingly straightforward concepts and actions.