You set a goal. You have a clear path. You take a step. Then another. Suddenly there's an obstacle. You didn't foresee this obstacle. You find a way around it. You take another few steps. Another obstacle. Then another obstacle. Then another. Eventually, you give up. You change goals. If there are this many obstacles, clearly this isn't the goal for you. You set a new goal. You have a clear path.
Let's replay that story, but with a different outcome.
You set a goal. You have a clear path. You take a step. Then another. No obstacles present themselves. Everything happens as you expected. There are challenges, but you foresaw them. They are so small and unchallenging that you don't even flinch. You keep taking steps. Momentum never slows. You get to your goal. You did it.
The second story is what everybody wants.
Success without painful suffering.
Goals without real challenges.
Life without actual adversity.
The first story is how everybody acts.
They suffer so they surrender.
They are challenged so they give up.
They face adversity so they settle for normality.
How boring?
Would you read a book where the "hero" gives up on their goal when they are challenged?
Would you watch a movie where the "hero" has no obstacles and achieves exactly what they wanted?
I hope not.
Stories are a part of the fabric of our DNA.
Our ancestors would gather around fires to share stories.
Of explorers who fought nature to discover new lands.
Of brave warriors who won the battle against a larger army.
Of people, just like you and me, achieving their goals no matter the obstacles.
The goal is just the heading.
The obstacles. The challenges. The adversity. That's the story.
Make sure that your story is interesting.
Don't set goals that you know you'll give up on at the first obstacle.
Don't set goals that are so small that you achieve them without effort.
Set goals that make for a good story.
That push you forward.
That force you to grow.
That make you become the hero.
You're going to suffer.
You're going to be challenged.
You're going to face adversity.
Be ready to grit your teeth.
And keep taking steps forward.