The only way to do hard things is to do hard things. In life, we often encounter challenges that test our resolve, push our limits, and require us to step out of our comfort zones. Whether it's pursuing a demanding career goal, making a major life change, overcoming personal setbacks, or embarking on a new venture, finding the motivation and confidence to tackle hard things is crucial for personal growth and success.

In this week’s episode of Reflect Forward, I share my journey of quitting drinking for 100 days (and beyond) and how you, too, can make big life changes or go after a big goal by following the process I set up for myself to make this life change.

How to Do Something Hard

1. Embrace a Growth Mindset: A growth mindset—the belief that your abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication—is essential for tackling tough challenges. Embrace the idea that failure and setbacks are not indicators of inadequacy but opportunities for learning and growth.

2. Break It Down: When faced with a daunting task, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The key to maintaining motivation is to break down the task into smaller, manageable steps. This approach not only makes the challenge seem less intimidating but also allows you to celebrate small victories along the way.

3. Visualize Success: Visualization is a powerful tool for building confidence. Spend a few minutes each day imagining yourself successfully completing the hard task at hand. Visualize the process, the challenges you might face, and the satisfaction of overcoming them.

4. Focus on Your Why: Understanding the deeper reasons behind why you want to accomplish something can be a strong motivator. Whether it's for personal growth, family, or a long-term dream, connecting your actions to a meaningful purpose provides the fuel to keep going, especially when the going gets tough.

5. Stay Consistent: Consistency is key when building confidence and motivation. Even on days when you don’t feel particularly motivated, taking small steps toward your goal can make a big difference.

6. Build a Support System: Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage and believe in you. Share your goals and challenges with them, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice when needed. A strong support system can provide the encouragement you need to keep pushing forward, especially during moments of self-doubt.

7. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: It's easy to get caught up in striving for perfection, but this can often lead to frustration and demotivation. Instead, focus on progress. Celebrate the small wins and recognize how far you've come, even if you haven’t yet reached your ultimate goal.

8. Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind to yourself throughout the process. Understand that facing hard things is, by nature, challenging, and it's okay to feel uncertain or struggle at times.

Conclusion

Motivating yourself and building confidence to do hard things is a journey, not a one-time effort. By breaking down tasks, setting clear goals, visualizing success, and embracing a growth mindset, you can cultivate the resilience and determination needed to overcome any challenge. Remember, the key is to stay consistent, focus on progress, and always be kind to yourself along the way.

Quotes From Ichiro Kishimi, The Courage to Be Disliked: How to Free Yourself, Change your Life and Achieve Real Happiness

“Your unhappiness cannot be blamed on your past or your environment. And it isn’t that you lack competence. You just lack courage. One might say you are lacking in the courage to be happy.”

“No experience is in itself a cause of our success or failure. We do not suffer from the shock of our experiences—the so-called trauma—but instead we make out of them whatever suits our purposes. We are not determined by our experiences, but the meaning we give them is self-determining.”