Why Doing Hard Stuff Is Essential to Achieving Your Dreams

By Mark Dolan | Time-Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell

If you’ve tuned in to my recent podcast with Tyler Wood, you already know we’re not afraid to talk about doing hard stuff. Tyler’s story is filled with examples of choosing challenge over comfort—and that’s no accident. In fact, if you’ve been around the personal development world for any length of time, you’ve probably heard this truth again and again:

Struggle isn’t something to avoid—it’s something to embrace.

It’s how we grow. It’s how we build resilience. It’s how we unlock who we’re truly meant to be.

A Personal Example: Wrestling with Aristotle

Let me bring this closer to home. Years ago, I was introduced to the idea that “All leaders are readers” by Jim Rohn. That was a game-changer. But what stuck with me even more was this follow-up wisdom:

“Don’t just read the easy stuff. You won’t grow.”

I took that to heart. But like most people, I’ve still found myself reaching for the comfortable. I gravitate toward books written in a style I enjoy—ones that reinforce my existing beliefs and challenge me very little. They’re enjoyable, sure… but not transformational.

Enter Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle.

I’m deep into it right now, and let me be honest—it’s a grind. Every paragraph takes multiple readings. I’ve got the dictionary out. I’m studying footnotes. I’ve been tempted more than once to give it up altogether.

But I haven’t.

Why? Because the struggle is the point.

It forces me to slow down. To think. To stretch my mind. It’s not just mental effort—it’s mental growth. Neuroscience tells us the brain is plastic. It can reshape itself when challenged. So instead of feeding it the easy, dopamine-heavy content of social media, I’ve chosen to invest my time in something more meaningful.

The Unexpected Gift of Clarity

Somewhere in the struggle, something clicked. I started reflecting on the question:

What is happiness really about?

Aristotle talks about the nature of the “good.” Some things are good in themselves—like love, life, water. Others are good because of what they produce—like a shoemaker crafting shoes. Some things are only good temporarily—like ice cubes in a cooler.

That led me to ask myself:

Is there anything good that becomes bad when you get too much of it?

Of course—cookies! A few bring pleasure. Too many bring regret.

But then I asked an even more powerful question:

Is there anything good that you can never have too much of?

Yes.

A conscious, holy, spiritual connection to our Creator.

The more you have, the better your life becomes. And there is never a point where it becomes too much.

This Is the Core of Time-Tested Mastery

We don’t chase comfort. We chase growth. We do the hard things not because they’re easy—but because they’re worth it. My coaching, my podcast, and my own journey are rooted in that unshakeable truth.

So I’ll keep reading Aristotle—even when it’s slow going. Because the reward isn’t just understanding—it’s transformation.

Your Turn

I’d love to hear from you.

What’s a hard thing you’ve done recently that challenged you—but ultimately made you better?

Drop a comment below or share your story with me on social. Let’s keep this conversation going.

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Mark Dolan
Host of Time-Tested Mastery: Life Lessons Sell
Coaching | Real Estate | High-Performance Mindset

Because doing hard things doesn’t just get you ahead—it gets you aligned.