They’re Hurting, Too

Don’t curse the imperfections of your journey:

The guy on stage, full of energy? Showing you how to change your life? He bleeds, he hurts, he carries pain. He won’t tell you, and it won’t last forever, but when he comes off stage and goes back to his hotel, it’s in there waiting for him. Not because of doing everything wrong, but because that’s real life.

That company that can do no wrong? Making the most popular products in the world? It bleeds, it wrestles with struggles. It won’t tell you, but it won’t last forever, and even in its high of success it’s struggling in ways you wouldn’t imagine. Not because of doing everything wrong, but because that’s real life.

That Instagram influencer with the best shots? Selling you “the life”? They bleed, they hurt, they know it’s not quite that way. They may not publish it on their timeline, but when they’re not shooting or posting, they’re hiding the unglamorous struggle from view ahead of the next shot, or chasing down the next endorsement deal to keep things going.

Learn how to hurt: Wishing for a perfect, failure-free ride is a delusion that distracts you from mastering the skills you need for the valleys during your pursuit of greatness and important work.