LIFE often confronts us with challenges so large they threaten to overwhelm us. When negativity scales up, most of us feel powerless, yet the remedy lies not in giant leaps, but in consistent, incremental progress.
Even if small wins feel irrelevant in the moment, they accumulate over time, creating meaningful change. In this article we will explore different ways in which we can overcome the seemingly insurmountable challenges we face from time to time.
As entrepreneur Alex Hormozi puts it, “Success is just doing the obvious thing longer than most people are willing to do it.” This simple truth reminds us that persistence, not perfection or sudden breakthroughs, fuels progress.
Make the conscious choice to be happy
Consider this: how little does it take to brighten your day, your week or your month? A kind gesture, a brief moment of calm, a shared laugh, these seemingly small moments shape how we remember entire periods of life.
Conversely, how little does it take to sour your mood or cast a shadow over your day? Human memory tends to crystallise moments rather than whole days. A single positive or negative event often colours our perception far more than a continuous stream of experience.
Be present in the moment
Rarely do we realise we’re living the best days of our lives while we’re in them. Yet, when we reminisce, we often cherish the past’s ordinary beauty. This awareness shouldn’t bring despair but encourage us to celebrate the present. As Marcus Aurelius, the stoic emperor, advised, “Confine yourself to the present.” Appreciating the now enriches our experience, even amid difficulties. Hormozi echoes this practical mind-set: “Discipline is the ability to keep promises to yourself.” Small daily commitments, no matter how modest, build the foundation for larger achievements.
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Have clear goals
Clarity about what we want is central to navigating life’s complexities. Once clear on your destination, the sacrifices and changes necessary become evident. Hormozi says, “A focused fool can accomplish more than a distracted genius.” In other words, clarity and focus outweigh scattered talent. James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, underscores this by highlighting how tiny changes in behaviour, repeated consistently, lead to remarkable outcomes over time.
Be courageous
Finally, change requires courage and sometimes this is the courage to quit. Knowing when to persist and when to pivot is vital. Reflecting on difficult periods, we find that a handful of moments often define our entire perspective. These peaks and valleys create emotional narratives that influence our outlook more than the whole picture. Recognising this helps us to contextualise and sometimes reframe our memories.
What if we could cultivate joy not tied to external reasons? Our society often accepts bad moods without question but is suspicious of happiness without cause. Hormozi challenges this norm by implying that sustained effort and mind-set can allow happiness to flourish naturally. James Clear similarly advises building systems that encourage positive habits and mind-sets rather than chasing motivation.
Ultimately, no one’s presence or absence will drastically alter the world’s course. This is not cause for feeling insignificant, but rather an invitation to cherish the small moments that compose our lives.
Our legacy is the sum of tiny actions, brief joys and incremental growth. As Marcus Aurelius reminded us, “The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.” The quality of your thoughts is in your control.
Life is more than monumental moments; it’s the ordinary days, the small victories and the simple pleasures. By embracing this truth, we find resilience, purpose, and lasting fulfilment.
