Remember, if was easy, everyone would be doing it.
That’s the phrase I get from my workout buddy about every other day. He’s a worker. He says that people just want to work harder when he’s around.
And they do. Or at least I do.
The Back-story
Working out is something I’ve never done consistently. I’m not necessarily in bad shape or anything, but I certainly could improve and take better care of this one body I do have.
This isn’t about working out though. That’s just where the phrase came into my life.
The real story is that this can be applied to almost anything in our lives. Let’s take something we all are interested in and that is working at your dream job.
Say, for instance, I’m working at a job I hate. I’m toiling away 40 plus hours a week working with people I mostly don’t like for a boss can’t stand. And the pay is so-so, but it’s just enough to keep me from attempting anything else.
I’m comfortable. Complacent. You get the picture.
But what I really want to be is a ________. Fill it in. Whatever you want to be. You know it’s something, so do it.
Now, think of the steps to get there. Maybe you’d have to redo your resume. Or start writing some things you never thought you’d share with anyone. Or tell someone your dream.
There’s any number of ways to start something, the hard part is that first step.
Whatever it is, we have to remember the phrase “If it was easy, everyone would do it.”
We’ve determined it’s not easy. But is it worth it?
Is more time with your kids 5 years from now worth it? Is a closer relationship with your spouse worth it? Is not hating 1/2 of your life worth it? Is having 1/4 of the stress worth it?
Only you can answer that. But here’s a few things to think about.
What Everyone Does
- Procrastinate
- Talk about doing something
- Talk about doing something awesome
- Talk about what they’ll do after they do something awesome
- Make excuses for why they can’t do what others do
- Wait for permission
- Assume things have to be the way they’ve always been
- Conform
What They Don’t
- Make awesome stuff
- Change entire industries
- Change people’s lives
- Create
- Challenge
- Achieve the impossible
And What It Will Get You
Doing what most other people do will get you what most other people get. Do you want that? – Tweet that!
But I guess I can’t say that EVERYONE does this because obviously not all people do or nothing would ever change. There are plenty of people that do awesome things. Famous ones like Dave Ramsey, Dan Miller, Michael Hyatt and plenty of others. And up and coming ones like my friends Kimanzi Constable, Dan Black and Mike Vardy.
Lots of people do awesome stuff. But I would say more people don’t.
So where do you fit? Taking the easy road often makes things comfortable. But it rarely makes things awesome. We are all on a journey, but some have taken a pit-stop that’s lasted a bit too long. I hope you’re not one of them.
The Takeaway: If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Question: What is one thing you can do differently today that would help you get different results tomorrow?
I like to go, go, go. I am married to a person that likes to think through everything and weigh all options. Me, on the other hand, likes to get ‘er done! Like the Saturday morning I woke up and said “Let’s put new shelves in the pantry”. Little did he know that I meant right then at 7 a.m. in the morning. We worked all day, but got it done and it looks great. I swear, I think my husband is the only one that could put up with my personality. I have always agreed that opposites attract:)
Funny you say that. My wife is exactly the same way. She’s a “let’s do this now” sort of person 😀 Our projects around the house must be done the moment they are thought of, lol!
I am like Whitney Jared. I like to make things happen when I think about them. I set something that I want to do and I just do it. I want to make sure that I don’t procrastinate on things because I could fall into that trap also. The thing is the people that you hang around if they are procrastinators so will you. I want to be at the bottom of a group that is moving fast and I have to keep up. Not at the top of a group that I am the leader. We need to grow.
That’s a good place to be. I do that when it comes to work stuff for the most part. Doing stuff around the house, I’m a little more lazy in that area 🙁
Great post! I think it’s essential to focus on our top priorities each day. To go beyond the day job and spending time with family to put in the extra work so we can move toward our dreams. Thank you for the mention!
Agreed. Sure thing bud, keep up the great work!
Awesome post! Unfortunately the easy thing is usually what is most attractive and that’s why so many people are choosing it. Another factor is the problem of trying to do to many things. It seems to me that it helps to focus my efforts in one or two particular areas and do those to the best of my abilities.
You’re spot on there! We do spread ourselves too thin. It’s easy to do in such an ADD society.
Whitney is my sister! And she is married to Jeff’s (that is my hubby) brother!! I can so relate!! I
Ha very cool! 😀
Great post Jared. I have lived list one and accomplished very little. I gave myself permission to achieve my vision and it is an awesome journey.
Thanks for your time and comment Bernard.