Hard work and dedication trump skill and inspiration every time. Change my mind.

Just kidding, don't bother. You won't.

This isn't to say that inspiration or innate abilities and skills can't be a catalyst that sets you on the journey of a lifetime. This is actually how my story began.

I wasn't dedicated to anything except doing the least amount of work possible that produced minimal discomfort. And the little effort I put into anything ceased once the pain started.

No pain, no gain? No problem, I didn't need the gains.

Through circumstances and terrible life choices, I reached a point in my life where I became inspired to take control of my physical and mental health.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that had I remained in this posture of being "inspired," these choices and changes would last weeks or MAYBE months if I were lucky.

Instead, I discovered the power of determination and putting in the damn hard work.

I woke up ready to do what I had to, whether I felt like it or not.

Every. Single. Day.

Embrace Discomfort

Just because inspiration or innate ability may be a catalyst into a life of hard work and determination doesn't mean you should wait.

Many people see inspiration as a good thing — it often is — but the "inspiration" that catapulted me into a new lifestyle was one of the most painful growing experiences I have ever and may ever experience.

When this new and extreme discomfort came, I could have run away from it like I had every time previously. Fleeing was EXACTLY what I wanted to do, if I'm being honest.

But I didn't.

Instead, I was inspired to be something I wasn't at the time or thought I couldn't be. And with this, I learned to embrace the discomfort a little bit at a time.

It hasn't been easy. It's a daily battle, and the war is far from over. I still feel like giving up some days.

If I were relying on inspiration or natural abilities — I would.

Persevering Through Trials

The thing I've discovered about hard work and determination is that it builds on itself.

The harder you work, the more likely you will encounter trials and hardships. But if you determine that you will push through these ahead of time your perseverance will grow.

This doesn't mean that your work gets easier. This doesn't mean that you'll stop experiencing battles in your mind.

But your tolerance to discomfort grows. And can push through, knowing the reward is worth the pain.

I'll leave you with this verse that I've found particularly impactful along the journey.

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~ Romans 5: 3–5 (ESV)

I think we could all use a little hope these days. But hard work and determination often come before hope!

This isn't my first time on Medium. But you won't find any of my old content anymore because my mind has been renewed and I'm being transformed, and I consider all that dead.

I hope you found these reflections on life helpful. If you're interested in more, consider following me to join me on a journey to freedom and wholeness.