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In today’s world, we are surrounded by hardships. When we look around, there are things that we need to do, should do, and want to do to make our lives better.

Sometimes I think to myself, is all of this hard work worth it? Should I just rest on my laurels and enjoy what I have without pushing harder for more?

While I do believe that we should take time to reset, recharge, and re-motivate ourselves, there comes a point in time where we need to realize that the grass isn’t always greener. Sometimes it pays to push through the hard times because the reward will be that much sweeter.

I have written about this before but I want to state it again, we need to balance mental health and mental toughness. There should be a time when we need to work through stressful situations to better ourselves while also being able to manage and relieve the stress.

Don’t Give Up

Coming into March Madness time, I am always reminded of Coach Jim Valvano’s 1993 ESPY speech. He was battling cancer at the time but still had enough energy and motivation to push forward. Nothing could have been more stressful for him at that time than doing what he did.

Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever Give Up

Jim Valvano, 1993 ESPYS

I implore you to watch his ~10-minute speech in its entirety. I’ve watched it a dozen times because his message is so powerful and puts my “problems” into perspective. I’ve never gotten through it without laughing, thinking, and being brought to tears. All of the emotions one should experience for a full day.

We can use the mental mind trick, “It could always be worse.” This helps to put our daily lives in perspective and be grateful for what we have. But it also shows that being great isn’t easy, because if it was, everyone would do it.

It takes perseverance, focus, and determination to go the extra mile to finish the job. Maybe we’re burning the midnight oil on a work project or taking the extra drive to care for a loved one. No matter what it is, in my experiences, the tougher the task, the greater the reward.

Gotta Have a Plan

As we work hard in life, the most important thing is to have a direction, a purpose. Knowing where we want to go and how to get there is the only way to figure out if we’re making progress in the right direction.

This comes back to our goals and the “why” behind them. I want to be rich in all areas of life, but why do I want that? To be healthy, to experience new things, to be happy, to share wonderful memories with my family and friends, to accomplish something meaningful. All are part of the plan.

And, of course, we have all realized that plans never come true. There is always something that happens or comes up that changes the plan. So we can either rework the plan or go on to Plan B.

But sometimes we need to push through the obstacles and stick with Plan A through the ups and the downs.

Sometimes Plan B is work harder on Plan A.

Retired Admiral James Stavridis, former NATO Supreme Allied Commander

Admiral Stavridis knows a little something about making plans, how easily they can fall apart, and how to stick with them to completion. From 2006-2009, his sole job was planning for the Chief of Naval Operations and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff as the strategic and long-range planner.

Planning for a Rich Life

The clearer we can paint the picture of what we want, the easier it is for us to obtain it. It’s also easier to stick with it.

Similar to what is described in the book, “Think and Grow Rich,” when we have a clear vision in our heads, there is no other plan than Plan A and working harder on Plan A. This focused, purposeful determination can transform lives and can make Rich Lives for all of us.

I doubt Coach Valvano or Admiral Stavridis knew what their paths would lead to. But they were both successful in their lives.

Coach Valvano coached in 327 college basketball games before he won his sole NCAA championship in his 328^th game. Admiral Stavridis graduated from the Naval Academy in 1976 but didn’t serve as a commander of a ship until 1993, 17 years after graduation.

Both of these men spent time grinding it out. I’m sure both had moments where their will was questioned and whether Plan A was the right plan. But they persevered and are now recognized for their achievements.

Don’t give up on your goals. The harder it seems right now, the sweeter the rewards will be.