Do Hard Things

a quiet ego, “the volume of the ego is turned down so that it might listen to others as well as the self in an effort to approach life more humanely and

According to Leach, sufferers of give-up-itis progress through a series of five stages. It starts with a general withdrawal before turning into apathy, loss of emotional response, and a lack of response to any external stimulus. Along the way, motivation to do menial tasks erodes until the simplest of tasks can no longer be completed. Listlessness

Real toughness is coming to terms with who we are and what we face, and making sense of and finding meaning in that struggle.

While describing, try to separate the physical sensations from the feeling.

They were pursuing a goal because it aligned with who they were and brought them enjoyment and contentment. They were choosing to do the work, not being forced to. And they were having more success.

True toughness is about expansion instead of constriction. It’s fostering the approach of the expert meditators. Not to push against the experience, but to create space between the stimulus and response so that we can better navigate what’s going on.

Just get used to it. See what it’s like to sit with boredom, angst, or whatever other sensation arises. Learn to let your thoughts go where they may before nudging them back to the task at hand. Don’t try to do too much. Just be alone in your head. It sounds simple, but it serves as the foundation.

Our brain is an uncertainty-reducing machine, willing to do whatever it takes to minimize surprise, even if it is at a high cost.

Real toughness resides in being humble and wise enough to acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses.