He Who Learns Must Suffer

I’ve been thinking a lot about what makes people change, and Charlie ‘Tremendous’ Jones said, “You are the same today as you’ll be in five years except for two things, the books you read and the people you meet.”  I think it’s a great quote, and I would add two things:  You are the same today as you’ll be tomorrow except for the books you read, the people you meet, the writing you do, and the sacrifices you make.

The process of writing, specifically journaling, teaches you how to think.  It also provides insight with regard to understanding yourself, your surroundings, and how ultimate control comes from how you respond to those surrounding; other people.  Writing also requires discipline, which is usually accompanied by some degree of sacrifice.

The Greek tragedian Aeschylus wrote, “He who learns must suffer, and, even in our sleep, pain that cannot forget falls drop by drop upon the heart, and in our own despair, against our will, comes wisdom to us by the awful grace of God.”  Think about what long-term substantive change means for your personal and professional life. Chances are you are comfortable. Change requires some level of discomfort, and as humans, we are geared to maintain our own status quo. Great achievements and learning come from commitment and sacrifices.

He who learns achieves, and he who achieves must sacrifice short-term comfort for long-term gains.  Make your life-long learning journey more akin to long distance endurance event than a suffering sprint!