Mental health isn’t just therapy and time off. It’s also doing the hard reps your mind wants to skip. My stance is simple: training yourself to do hard things on purpose is one of the best ways to build a stronger mind and a stronger career. Most people hunt for hacks. I bet on grit.
Why Hard Things Help Your Mind
When you force yourself to do what you don’t feel like doing, you build self-trust. You prove you can show up, even tired, busy, or bored. That changes how you see problems at work, at home, and under pressure. You’re no longer at the mercy of mood or motivation.
“The reason that’s good for your mental health is you’re teaching yourself to do something really hard that you don’t wanna do. And you’re doing it anyways… If you can do that for yourself, you’re gonna have an easier life.”
Discipline is a skill, not a personality trait. Treat it like training. Your brain learns from repetition. Each time you lean into discomfort, you expand your capacity to handle it. That’s not theory. It’s exposure. It’s practice.
From Track to Boardroom
Running extra laps after you’re gassed may look silly from the outside. It’s not. It’s mental conditioning. You push into controlled stress, recover, and come back stronger. That translates to business better than most books on your shelf.
“You learn how to manage stress better because you push yourself to stress. When you’re done, when you’re exhausted, when you just wanna go home, go run some more laps.”
I’ve built and scaled companies through market swings, hiring fires, and product setbacks. The edge wasn’t a secret tactic. It was the ability to stay steady and keep going when it was uncomfortable. Grit compounds faster than strategy. Strategy helps, but it’s useless if you quit when it stings.
That’s why I encourage founders, marketers, and sales teams to treat discomfort like a gym. Pick something demanding and do it consistently. Not recklessly—just enough to stretch your limits and prove you won’t break.
How to Build Grit (Without Burning Out)
Here’s a simple way to put this into action. Add small, controlled challenges to your routine and let them stack.
- Pick one physical challenge you don’t want to do and commit to it three times a week.
- Set a clear finish line, then add one more rep or minute after you want to stop.
- Choose one work task you avoid and do it first every morning for 10 days.
- Track how you feel before and after. You’ll see stress drops as confidence rises.
- Protect recovery: sleep, nutrition, and downtime keep the gains.
These aren’t heroics. They’re micro-proofs that you can count on yourself. Over time, that self-belief becomes your competitive edge.
“But Won’t Pushing Hard Make Stress Worse?”
Only if you overdo it or ignore recovery. The goal isn’t punishment. It’s controlled exposure. Think of it like strength training for your mind. A smart load, done consistently, makes you resilient. A reckless load breaks you. Keep the weights heavy enough to grow, light enough to repeat.
The Payoff at Work
Grit beats hacks because it works when conditions change. Markets shift, campaigns flop, deals stall. The person who can regulate stress, keep a clear head, and take one more step wins. That’s true for CEOs, sales reps, and creatives.
“That will serve you in work and in business more than most of the stuff you’re gonna learn anyways. And so just learning that grit is big.”
If you want a calmer mind and a stronger career, stop seeking comfort. Seek small, chosen challenges. Let the reps shape you.
Final Thought
Choose hard things on purpose. Do the extra lap. Make the tough call. Ship the work when you feel like hiding. Your future self will thank you. Start this week. Pick one hard habit and commit for 14 days. Keep it simple, show up, and prove to yourself you can.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How often should I push into discomfort?
Aim for small doses three to five times a week. Keep the challenges short, focused, and repeatable so you build consistency without frying your system.
Q: What if I already feel overwhelmed at work?
Start tiny. Try a two-minute cold finish to your shower, one extra email, or a five-minute walk after you want to quit. Keep wins manageable.
Q: How do I know I’m not overdoing it?
Track sleep quality, mood, and focus. If those drop for more than a few days, reduce intensity, not consistency. Progress should feel challenging, not crushing.
Q: Can this replace therapy or professional help?
No. This is a performance habit, not medical care. If you’re struggling with mental health, consult a professional and use grit training as a supportive practice.
Q: What’s a good first challenge to try?
Pick something simple: run one more lap, make one more sales call, or write for five minutes after you want to stop. Repeat for two weeks and reassess.
