What Others Won’t Do

When we practice, write, train, or start a new project, it's never an upward trajectory 100% of the time.

We've all experienced it. And so have our kids.

You're taking piano lessons. It's exciting and shiny and new. But after the first several weeks, the honeymoon is over. It turns out this is work. It can even be frustrating sometimes. 

And some days, we just don't feel like doing it.

This is when people fall off the wagon and parents pull the plug on lessons prematurely.

Because they don't understand how this enthusiasm stuff works.

Every endeavor over time has ups and down. Moments of excitement followed by moments of boredom and frustration. It's a roller coaster.

This is normal.

I repeat: This is normal.

If we expected any different, every couple would end their relationship the first time they have a disagreement. Ups and downs.

The key is to figure out how to get the highs to last longer. And how to get through the frustrating parts quicker.

A helpful reframe for the frustrating or boring parts is this: Remember that everyone else is going through the same thing.

And many others aren't going to continue. You're doing what others won't do.

Want to quit your workout routine? Remember, everyone you know has worked out at some point and felt the same desire to quit. You're doing what they probably won't.

Want to let your kids quit piano? Remember, 80% of kids quit piano because they won't push through the hard parts. Do you want to be in the 20% or the 80%? Do you want to do what other parents won't?

Lots of people start writing books, but few finish. They all run into the same obstacles. Do you want to be able to say you finished yours?

It's not a competition. But when you get to the hard parts, reminding yourself of this...

You are working and persevering through what others won't do.

...can make all the difference whether you get to continue riding the roller coaster or get off and watch from the sidelines.