"Those times when you get up early and you work hard. Those times when you stay up late and you work hard. Those times when you don’t feel like working - you’re too tired, you don’t want to push yourself but you do it anyway. THAT is actually the dream. That's the dream. It's not the destination. It's loving the journey." - Kobe Bryant
We live in a society that loves the destination.
We obsess over it on social media, some even going so far as to fake the pictures they post simply to brag to others that they've "made it," when in reality they haven't.
We are surrounded by people who give up when their path to success isn't easy or overnight.
Work for a goal? Put in effort for years? "Count me out," is the response you'll get from most people.
It's also why most people end up with regret and wonder why they never succeeded like that so-in-so they knew or followed online.
That Competitor they watched.
Don't get me wrong - the destination is fun to reach.
It's fun to get the promotion, cash the bonus check or win the competition. It's fun to see your hard work pay off.
But want to know what's even more fun?
The confidence built & accomplishment earned from getting better every single day.
Falling in love with that one moment outcome can lead to a life of misery because our biggest wins don't happen every single moment.
They're spaced out.
If you win more than one championship in sports, you're in the top 1%. Back to back? Almost unheard of.
BIG wins are few and far between - that's why they're so meaningful.
The work to create them though? The time toiling the process?
That's every damn day.
The sooner you learn to love the every day grind, the more enjoyable you'll find life.
The more quickly you smile & find gratitude in the...
- Early morning training sessions while the rest of the world sleeps...
- Weekend studying for certifications or reading books while the rest of the world medicates itself from reality...
- Lonely work chasing your dreams
...the more quickly you'll find happiness.
There's joy in the struggle because by enduring the struggle, you're consistently getting better.
You love the practice. Love the reps. Love the work.
While the rest of the world lives in misery because they only love the attention & applause that comes with the outcome, you'll be embracing happiness by loving the "boring" work that builds you better.
The journey is the destination. Learn to love it to give yourself a competitive edge in life.
Love the work, Competitor.