In life, we all face difficult situations. What's important is knowing what you are capable of, where you’re currently at, and even not capable of handling.

Similarly, the only thing that can prepare you for doing hard things is doing them. There’s no secret sauce, certainly no shortcuts, only a path to plot each challenge to face down one at a time.

We will never know the true extent of our potential unless we are put in challenging situations and are forced to overcome them. 

Working in Nobody meant I knew I would have to make tough decisions with a strong dose of discomfort, and show me what it takes to build a great organization and become a world-class leader. I wrote about this in detail in this month's blog.

So many other Nobodies shared their stories with me this month on the podcast too. The MD of our IdeaLab, Min Bhogaita talked about balancing his introversion with leadership, and Bobby Soper, former President and CEO of Mohegan Sun highlighted the importance of mentorship in his personal development and growth.  

No day is ever easy. But everyday I learn something new about something that is hard.

Blog on Doing Hard Things

We were doing an exercise today at Nobody Studios. “What is your reason for being here?”

It’s an interesting question to ask your team members, colleagues or even friends. Why do you do what you do? I knew my answer immediately.

I like doing hard things that have never been done before.

Our mission to create 100 companies over the next 5 years—and who knows how many more beyond that—sparked my excitement, curiosity and uncomfort zone into action.

Those missions that have high risk, low probability, and endless difficult situations that you’ll have to navigate through to succeed make me say, “Hell Yeah!”. I grab my bag, jump on the plane and go.

But why?

What Does it Mean To Do Hard Things?

Starting a business, creating a product or company culture for high performing teams is never easy.

Running my own business for seven years has helped me learn more about myself than any course, curriculum or certification could ever promise to offer or deliver.

Each step I’ve taken has intentionally tried to make the tasks in front of me harder—here’s why.

I never in my wildest dreams thought I would write a book. I had a solid history of D- in English Literature throughout school. Yet, I worked with a team and had the honor of co-creating Lean Enterprise with Joanne and Jez. One year after it launched I was already asking myself what would be my next challenge—could I write one on my own? What would it take to Unlearn?

Even building my own advisory practice, then contributing to an amazing startup at AgileCraft and getting acquired by Atlassian only encouraged me to go further, and cofound Nobody Studios as the place to create hundreds of companies in quick succession and help many more founders, entrepreneurs and innovators succeed.

Each new endeavor has been designed to find and extend the edges of my abilities. Hard things are my compass for growth, and growth and comfort cannot coexist.

Podcast on The Importance of Mentorship and Balancing Introversion with Leadership

I give talks all over the world, sharing my expertise, insights and stories of my own and others’ learning and unlearning.