If you want what other people don’t have, you must do what others don’t do.

That sentence sounds obvious until you see it lived out.

My wife, Amy, has a dream of writing a memoir. But to achieve it, she will need to do what others don’t. So she signed up for a writing program.

The program runs primarily on the weekends. When most people do something fun. Or when rest, entertainment, and comfort usually win. But it’s also when other people who are committed to their dreams do uncomfortable or inconvenient reps.

That’s the part people miss.

We tend to admire the outcomes without respecting the choices that produce them. We want the results, but not the sacrifice. We want the growth, but not the tradeoffs.

The people who operate at a different level aren’t always more talented. They aren’t always better, faster, or stronger. And most of the time, they aren’t working harder every moment of the day.

However, they are willing to do a few things others could do, but don’t. It’s the price of progress.

Recently, I spoke to a young man who has a goal of playing college baseball and a dream to make the big leagues. When I asked him how hard he was working in the offseason, his response was, “I have practice with my team today.”

That’s when I reminded him that while offseason team practice is more than what many are doing, it’s also when everyone on the team is required to be there. What separates people is the work they’re willing to do when it isn’t a requirement.

That’s when you give yourself a chance to get what others don’t have, because you’re willing to do what others won’t do.

So before today ends, will you choose one rep others would rather skip?

Check out the Optimistic Outlooks podcast and leave a review to help the show grow.