I didn’t want to do anything today. I didn’t want to get out of bed. I just wanted to lay around, maybe take a quiet hike. I wanted to do anything but work.
But I fought off that feeling. I dragged myself into the office anyway, spent hours on the phone and when I’d had enough of the indoors I shoved myself outside for a run.
After a couple of hilly miles, some chin-ups, and push-ups, I was so glad I shrugged off that weight I’d had on me this morning.
Anything I’ve ever wanted, I had to fight for it myself. I wasn’t stopping today.
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What is Luck?
People say I’m lucky. I’m successful in business, and I have a great wife. But none of that’s about luck. It’s about effort.
No one can control luck. You can’t go out and buy some. No one can give it to you. But you can work for it.
You may get lucky by meeting the right person, getting your product in front of the right eyes or having an investment go big. That kind of luck, though, comes from persistence, perspiration, and diligence.
Keep doing the right things. Keep your goals at the front of your mind. Show up early for work and be the last one to leave. Do those things, and you might get “lucky.”
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But is it Really Luck?
It’s been a tough month, and it wants to bring me down. My wife and I just moved. Business is great but takes more effort than ever. We’re launching new services, and that’s expensive. We spent more money this month than in all of 2014.
But I won’t let it bring me down. That’s not how I got here, and it’s not how my story ends.
The great thing about effort: it’s free! You have all you need inside you. You just need to use it.
Success won’t be given to you. You need to grab it, wrestle it down and conquer.
Obstacles to your dreams will never stop popping up. When they do, punch a giant smoking hole in them. Leave that behind with your excuses.
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Ten to Twelve Hours
That’s what it takes per day to achieve anything. A forty hour week is five eight-hour days, but that’s the minimum. That’s what’s required. That may get you to normal or average.
You want to be exceptional and that takes exceptional effort. No resting. No cruising.
Find a goal and crush it. How good will that feel?
I wanted to sit around at home and do none of the things I did today. But I got to work because I’m afraid I’ll be a weak-ass loser. I could easily be a broke one too if I stop pushing.
For every ounce of awesome you want, you need to fight for it.
What can you achieve today? Is it physical, mental, economic or social? Go get it.
You won’t get lucky and have it given to you. Put out enough effort and it can be yours.
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