The Myth of the Straight Line to Success
One of the greatest illusions we believe is that success happens in a straight line:
- Set a
goal.
- Work hard.
- Achieve it.
That’s not how reality works. If you’re doing anything meaningful, the real trajectory looks more like this:
- Set a goal.
- Work hard.
- Feel lost.
- Face unexpected setbacks.
- Question everything.
- Consider quitting.
- Keep going anyway.
- Something clicks.
- Find success in an unexpected form.
Notice that struggle doesn’t come
after success; it comes before it. Most people assume that their struggles mean they’re on the wrong path. That’s the mistake. The storm isn’t a detour—it’s a sign that you’re moving in the right direction.
Why the Hardest Moments Are the Most Important
There’s a moment in any great story where the hero is at their lowest. They’re beaten down, out of
options, questioning everything. This isn’t just for dramatic effect; it’s a necessary turning point. The struggle forces them to change. Without that moment, they don’t evolve.
Your life works the same way.
Think about the moments that changed you the most. The ones that shaped your character forced you to grow and made you rethink your capabilities. I guarantee they
weren’t moments of ease and certainty. They were moments of friction. Of doubt. Of being tested.
Here’s the paradox:
We crave transformation but resist the process that creates it.
We want to be stronger without facing resistance.
We want clarity without confusion.
We want breakthroughs without breakdowns.
But it doesn’t work that way. Just like fire forges metal and pressure creates diamonds, struggle refines you. It strips away the unnecessary, forcing you to sharpen, adapt, and become the version of yourself capable of handling the next
level.
The Mistake of Running From the Storm
Most people see the struggle as a signal to turn back. They assume that if something is difficult, it means they’re not meant for it. But the hardest moments often mean you’re exactly where you need to be.
Think about the last time you gave up on something—not
because you genuinely didn’t want it, but because the struggle became too much. What if you had held on just a little longer? What if the resistance wasn’t proof you were failing, but proof that the breakthrough was right around the corner?
This is why so many people never reach their potential. They stop at the most challenging part, unaware that the struggle is the final gatekeeper before success.
Reframing the Struggle: The Calm After the Storm is Earned
When you’re in the storm, believing it will last forever is easy. That’s the trick—it convinces you that this chaos is permanent. But look back at every storm you’ve already survived.
You got through them.
You adapted.
You learned things you wouldn’t have otherwise.
And eventually, the calm came—but only because you kept going.
The difference between people who achieve something meaningful and those who don’t isn’t talent. It isn’t luck. It’s the ability to endure the storm long enough
to reach the other side.
So, when things get difficult—when you’re doubting, struggling, and questioning everything—don’t run. Don’t assume you’re on the wrong path. Recognize the pattern. The storm is proof of movement. It’s proof that you’re on the verge of something important.
Lean in. Hold on. Keep moving.
Because if you can make it through the storm, the calm won’t just be waiting for you.
You’ll have earned it.
Peace, love and power.
