A little while ago, my son and I were running.
We were running the exact same trail as always, but when we got to the top, he'd always say to me, "Dad, we made it!" I'd reply, "Yeah, we did!" Then I asked him a question—I asked him how he got up there, and my son, Tristan, gave me a deep answer I've since forgotten. I asked him again, "Okay, I understand, but how did you physically get up here? What did you do?" My son told me, "I ran up here." I said to him, "Exactly. Do you think there's any other way to the top?" "No," he told me.
Let me tell you something—a lot of us have been in a bad position lately. Don't get me wrong—I'm guilty of it, too. We all are guilty of putting more faith in our visions than in our own work ethics. While I'll be the first to talk about how powerful visions are, I need you to understand that visions aren't enough. Visions mean nothing if you won't get up and do something. Visions are a great way to get started and stay motivated, but a plan is nothing without execution. The only way to find your path is to create it yourself, and the only way to create your path is by putting in work. The only way to succeed is by having faith, staying committed, and being consistent. That might not seem like profound advice, but that's because it's not.
You have to grind—there's no way around it.
Stop telling people about your unfulfilled plans. Instead, I want you to start showing the people around you your results. I want you to start leading by example. Stop saying, "I'd rather be this person," or, "I'd rather be this other person." Instead, wake up and become that person. Too many of us are far too comfortable planning and talking, but when it's time to execute, many of us begin to falter. I need you to understand something—just because you understand the mountain in front of you and have the desire to be on its peak doesn't mean you're going to get to the top.
How do you get to the top? The answer is simple. The only thing that's going to get you to the top of that mountain is you climbing that mountain. It's going to be hard—it's going to be a struggle. You're going to feel out of shape, and you're going to feel out of your depth. You're going to fail and fail again, but if you can keep moving forward, I promise you that there's nothing in the world that can stop you.
It all starts with you.
