Failure Required

Imagine

Take a second and dive into a theory I learned recently. This is from Chris Williamson again, from his podcast Modern Wisdom.

If you are going to travel less than a mile, you are likely to walk. If you are going to travel two miles or more, you’re more likely to drive. By this way of thinking, you will likely travel two miles faster than you would travel one mile.

The same is true in our daily lives—not just in small moments, but in the grand scheme of things. Many times, we are so content being good that we don’t push ourselves to be great.

Why is it that so many successful people hit rock bottom before they achieve success? Because when you get there, you have the fuel, the motivation, the need to change your circumstances.

Think about it:

• My apartment has a little mold, but not enough to move out.
• My job sucks, but not enough to quit and find a new one.

These small discomforts keep me stuck, and they keep most people stuck.

Now, consider this: Wouldn’t I be better off if my situation were worse?

If I had two or more miles to travel, I’d be forced to drive, meaning I’d get there faster. If my whole apartment was covered in mold, I’d leave immediately. If my job was unbearable, I wouldn’t hesitate to quit and find something better.

It would be better if…

• I couldn’t pay the bills.
• My parents wouldn’t bail me out.
• My girlfriend thought I was a loser.
• I was missing car payments.
• I couldn’t go on vacation.
• I couldn’t eat out.
• I was dead broke.
• I hit rock bottom.

If I weren’t comfortable enough, imagine what I would do to get out of that situation. Imagine the lengths I would go to, the effort I would put in.

I wouldn’t play that game.
I wouldn’t eat that crap.
I wouldn’t scroll on TikTok for three hours.
I wouldn’t distract myself with short bursts of dopamine.

Why? Because the pain I’m in wouldn’t allow me to stop thinking about my situation. It wouldn’t allow me to be distracted. At that point, I must succeed.

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So Why Wait?

Here’s the thing—we can all imagine a situation where things are worse. We all know what we want and where we want to go in life.

So why do so many stay in the same spot for so long?

It comes down to Uncomfortable vs. Unbearable.

We can tolerate discomfort, so we don’t act. But we would be better off if things were worse because only then would we be forced to act.

Don’t settle for uncomfortable.
Don’t wait until things become unbearable—by then, it may be too late.

So many people live paycheck to paycheck for their entire lives with nothing to show for it. They exist in a state of constant discomfort, never realizing how comfortable they could have been—if only they had hit rock bottom and been forced to change.

When you’re working and get the urge to quit…
When you want to stop and play your game…
When you want to watch TV or waste time…

Pause.

Imagine your life at its most unbearable.
Imagine yourself at rock bottom.
Now, imagine the most comfortable, successful version of yourself.
Then, look at where you are right now.

Which of those three versions makes you the happiest?

Now get to work.