Eighteen years of hard farm chores taught me one particular lesson that has helped me achieve everything I have today. Hard work won’t kill me (or you!). After graduating high school, this little mantra got me through college, becoming self-employed, buying my house, martial arts training to break boards, child birth….the list goes on and on. But I think you get the idea. Hard work is, well, hard…but hard does not mean impossible. Read on to learn how to apply this life lesson without having to live on a farm.

Acknowledge the work you put in

On the farm, I had many chores that spanned days, not just an hour or two. But every one of those chores did come to an end! Here’s what you take away from this: the next time you are faced with a long-term goal, take the time to acknowledge all the work you put towards this goal. Just because you still don’t have that goal accomplished, doesn’t mean you are doing nothing. Looking back to see how far you have come is quite motivating.

Hard work feels good! Once you’re done for the day, it feels good knowing you were productive. It feels good to know you are moving forward to what you really want, and not taking the easy road and settling. Plus, hard work makes for a wonderfully deep night’s sleep. I can’t be the only one who has been annoyed, lying in bed wide awake after a lazy day. I have yet to meet someone who enjoys a sleepless night!

No regrets

If you are willing to put in some hard work, the chances of having regrets in life drops a lot. Whenever conversations drift to this subject, I feel bad for the person expressing regret. But on the other hand, I’m proud of myself for not being able to relate. Try to keep this in the back of your mind the next time you are feeling overwhelmed. Its feels really great to know you have followed your heart.

I know what I’m asking of you doesn’t sound like much fun. I also know it isn’t easy to wake up in the morning and be excited about working hard. But once you put yourself out there and just do it, it does get a little easier. And it gets more easy as you cross off goal after goal as completed.