Tips that save time.
Let’s face it: success isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s a rollercoaster ride that’ll test your guts, push you to your limits, and sometimes make you want to throw in the towel. But here’s the thing – whether you’re gunning to crush it in business, finally nail that personal goal, or lead a project that changes the game, you’ve got to do more than just dream big and hope for the best.
Real success? It’s about rolling up your sleeves and doing the stuff that scares the pants off most people. It’s about stepping so far out of your comfort zone that you can’t even see it in the rearview mirror. It’s about growing, even when growing hurts.
I’ve put together a list of 30 hard-as-nails things you need to tackle if you’re serious about success.
Full disclosure: I was initially inspired by a powerful list of 19 ideas I came across, and they hit me so hard, I knew I had to share them. But I didn’t stop there. I dug deep and added 11 more battle-tested truths to round out this guide to greatness.
This isn’t your fluffy, feel-good advice. These are the nitty-gritty actions that separate those who talk the talk from those who walk the walk. We’re talking about everything from making that stomach-churning phone call to showing kindness when all you want to do is scream.
So, buckle up. We’re about to dive deep into what it really takes to turn those big dreams into your everyday reality. It’s not going to be easy, but trust me, it’s going to be worth it. These 30 steps? They’re your roadmap to becoming unstoppable.
30 tough steps to extraordinary achievement
You have to make the call you’re afraid to make.
You have to face your fears head-on when you’d prefer to avoid them.
You have to feel unsure and insecure when playing it safe seems smarter.
You have to lead when no one else is following you yet.
You have to invest in yourself even though no one else is.
You have to get up earlier than you want to get up.
You have to grind out the details when it’s easier to shrug them off.
You have to deliver results when making excuses is an option.
You have to meet deadlines that are unreasonable and deliver results that are unparalleled.
You have to be accountable for your actions even when things go wrong.
You have to make mistakes and look like an idiot.
You can’t be afraid to look like a fool while you’re looking for answers you don’t have.
You have to try and fail and try again.
You have to persist in the face of repeated rejection.
You have to push through self-doubt when giving up seems easier.
You have to fight when you are injured, bloody, and sore.
You have to run faster even though you’re out of breath.
You have to keep moving towards where you want to be no matter what’s in front of you.
You have to take full responsibility for your life when blaming others is tempting.
You have to search for your own explanations even when you’re told to accept the “facts.”
You have to ask for help even when it bruises your ego.
You have to give more than you get in return right away.
You have to care more about others than they care about you.
You have to be kind to people who have been cruel to you.
You have to stand by your values even when it costs you.
You have to say “no” to good opportunities so you can say “yes” to great ones.
You have to sacrifice short-term pleasures for long-term gains.
You have to keep learning when you’d rather rest on your laurels.
You have to embrace change when comfort zones feel safer.
You have to make tough decisions with incomplete information.
You must do the hard things
Let’s get real for a second: success isn’t some smooth, straight road. It’s more like a rocky mountain trail with steep climbs, sudden drops, and moments where you’re sure you’ve lost your way. These 30 hard truths we’ve laid out? They’re not just a to-do list. They’re the guts and grit that separate the dreamers from the doers, the talkers from the makers.
Tackling these challenges head-on isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about forging yourself into someone who doesn’t just survive the storm but learns to dance in the rain. It’s about building the kind of resilience that turns setbacks into comebacks and obstacles into opportunities.
So here’s the deal: embrace the suck. Lean into the discomfort. When things get tough – and they will – don’t look for the exit. Look for the lesson. Keep moving forward, even if it’s just baby steps. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about avoiding the hard stuff. It’s about proving to yourself that you’re tougher than anything life can throw at you.
This journey won’t be easy, but damn, it’ll be worth it. So what are you waiting for? Time to get out there and show the world what you’re made of.
Please share this list with whoever can benefit from it. 👍
