The Long Haul
If you’re not in it for the long haul, you’re not in it.
Anything worth doing takes time. A long time.
Building a habit.
Building a body.
Building a business.
Building a relationship.
Even if you stand on the backs of giants, there are no shortcuts.
There is no secret trick.
And that’s the secret trick.
Counting the cost up front, and committing, even though you’ve wildly underestimated the cost.
Moving forward every day, even if it’s just a step or two.
The person looking for a shortcut or a secret trick is trying to avoid the work, avoid the time, avoid the pain.
And so, when the work comes calling, when the pain hurts, and when the days stretch long … they quit.
And it’s no surprise.
The surprise is when you stick with it.
It doesn’t feel like a surprise, because it’s not sudden.
The long haul never is.
The only people surprised are those who don’t see the work, don’t watch the time go by.
Sudden Surprises
They see a new business spring up overnight, but didn’t see the years that were invested beforehand.
They see an old friend who looks amazing, but didn’t feel the sore muscles and early mornings at the gym.
They see the novel you published, but didn’t experience the sleepless nights and months of editing.
They see a couple on a quiet anniversary date celebrating 23 years together but didn’t see the daily expressions of love, the fights, the make-ups, the sacrifices made on each side.
So, here’s the call to action: Surprise Yourself Slowly.
One day at a time.
Just keep going.