Progress equals happiness

Watching Olive play in her first Junior High basketball game yesterday was a lesson in nerves, excitement, and growth. The rules, plays, time-keeping, and scoring, all new, and each a bit challenging in their own way. By the fourth quarter, I saw Olive transition from wide-eyed newbie, to engaged competitor. 

Progress.

Tony Robbins says “progress equals happiness”, and as humans we are wired to either “grow or die”. We see this in the excitement of youth, each day a new adventure, encountering things for the first time, a joyful energy accompanying this journey. 

For many adults, ‘ruts of sameness’ take hold of our lives, same patterns and routines, creating a life of repetition, often seeking the easiest route. As Adam Grant tells us in his book ‘Hidden Potential’ “The best way to accelerate growth is to embrace, seek, and amplify discomfort”, something that most of us intentionally avoid. 

Stagnation is the enemy of joy. 

Embrace discomfort and try a new challenge today. 

It will be painful, frustrating and embarrassing, but happiness is sure to follow. 

• Now that’s a peak ethos.