Hardship is necessity for success - it's the defining characteristic. In today's episode I discuss why things that are worth accomplishing usually take some bit of sacrifice.

Doing spiritual work lately
- accept life is challenging + always have problems. - Not good or bad, just is
- Once accept this, then you can change your mindset, problem solving rather than dwelling

Reminds me a couple months ago was dealing with depression, can only diagnosis this after the fact. But wasn't as motivate and felt helpless.
1. Change environment, toxic people experiences - get out and do something away from there
2. Journaling - better than a consultant, able to see patterns and gift to self
3. Change how you look at problem - become what think about most

Meaning:
- Per Aspera Ad Astera - Through Hardship to the stars
- To Kill a mocking bird - through mud to the stars
- Thought at one point wanted to do tattoo with astronaut

Happiness comes from suffering - greater appreciation for good times - have to die to yourself, sacrifice - personally productivity makes me feel happiest

- cold showers
- fasting
- working out

Only good things come with work
Used to having things come relatively easy.

Didn't realize that adult life is a grind, really small progress every single day.

- right after college working 9-5 couldn't get anything done after work - want to watch tv or video games. Still in a similar boat... but have solution.

- Miracle morning, wake up early and have the energy to tackle some of my bigger projects. Less drained and fewer distractions from email, texts, Emily isn't up yet. It's nice. Flies by, but that's my magic bullet

How? A little bit of going to bed earlier, but more reliant on app Sleepy Time.

- Like making this podcast - consists of me waking up at 5am and editing

This advice goes to you as the viewer as much for myself: try to see the silver lining.
- Nothing is by accident
- What is life trying to teach me in this moment
- 90% of life is how you react to the things happening to you - always going to have challenges - how you think about it is the key. Find that attitude can make all the difference.

Summary:
- Meaning
- Value of work - payoff of sacrifice
- CTA: What is something that you would like to work harder at? Or what have you worked hard at in the past? - doing exercise/thinking about will move you in a better direction