Embrace the boring

“98% of success is consistently doing boring things that no one sees. 2% is visible and exciting, so that’s all everyone talks about.” Farnam Street

Having a conversation with a successful entrepreneur last week, he told me about his year 1, startup phase. The year he bet it all and created something from nothing. He was all in, all of his energy, mental capacity, and time. He called it “the grind.” As I listened to him, I admired his fortitude.

The grind is done in the dark, never in the public forum. The grind contains those “boring things” done in the quiet. The emotions, the blood, the sweat, are not on display to the world. There is no glory in the 98% grind.

The desire is to live in the 2% that everyone talks about. We fight the “boring things” done in the dark. The desire is to be celebrated, high-fived, congratulated, recognized. We want others to see what we built, what we have achieved, see our name in the lights. But, without the grind, the 98% “boring things,” any success inflates the ego.

If you speak to any successful leader, they flip the script. They celebrate the 98% grind. The grind is why they are, who they are. The grind built and continues to build their character, gives them the ability to sustain difficult times. The grind is where the personal glory is, no public glory needed. They relish the grind, the 98%. By the time the public recognizes it, they take the recognition with an “if you only knew” smile.

The consistency done in the dark provides the anchor that holds.

Whatever your responsibility, whatever your job, whatever is under your leadership, the majority of the time is spent doing “the boring things that no one sees.” But, these are the exact things that build the foundation of the company, the team, and the family. The world needs you in the grind. It is in these quiet times when the minute details are cared for, that the idea is sparked and one’s character is built.

Relish the “boring work” done in the quiet. Because, what is built in the quiet, will sustain the company, the team, the family, and you. Grind away.

And, if you want to make someone’s day, tell them that you see them in the grind.

Scripture, Proverbs 21:5-6

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Each day will be a new posting. Sundays will be reserved for personal reflection.

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