Proof You Can Do Anything

Words you’ll want to take in:

"The ability to do hard things is perhaps the most useful ability you can foster in yourself or your children. And proof that you are someone who can do them is one of the most useful assets you can have on your life resume.

Our self-image is composed of historical evidence of our abilities. The more hard things you push yourself to do, the more competent you will see yourself to be.

If you can run marathons or throw double your body weight over your head, the sleep deprivation from a newborn is only a mild irritant. If you can excel at organic chemistry or econometrics, onboarding for a new finance job will be a breeze.

But if we avoid hard things, anything mildly challenging will seem insurmountable. We’ll cry into TikTok over an errant period at the end of a text message. We’ll see ourselves as incapable of learning new skills, taking on new careers, and escaping bad situations.

The proof you can do hard things is one of the most powerful gifts you can give yourself."

— Nat Eliason

Most people avoid hard things.

They wait for motivation.

They want the path to be clear.

They want to feel ready.

But readiness comes after action.

And confidence? It’s earned through evidence that you’ve done it before.

Here’s the simple truth:

Hard things build proof.

When you do something difficult — even small — you create proof:

• That you show up when it’s uncomfortable

• That you finish what you start

• That you can trust yourself

• That you can get it done

• That you are accountable

That’s your real resume.

Not your GPA, your job, or your certifications.

It’s your ability to know – without doubt – that regardless of the circumstances you face, you can do it.

Sleepless nights? Grueling training rounds? Tall mountains? Coming through on a big project when time is against you? Showing up when you’d rather be at home?

All of that becomes armor.

It’s why I train everyday.

It’s why I journal when I don’t feel like it.

Because I want to be the kind of person who does it anyway.

Start with something hard today.

Take the more difficult path.

Do it whether you feel like it or not.

👉 Then write it down.

Until next Monday,

– Tim

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PS:

If it’s hard, good. That means it’s working.