Happy Sunday! Every week I write a little bit about my path to learning what it means to be resilient. You can read why this started here. Otherwise, enjoy!
This is just a check in, for the sake of consistency. I launched a new thing, check it out here.
I’m going to paste in my thoughts on consistent effort as opposed to spurts of effort.
One of my all time favorite stories is that of the stonecutter. His entire career is devoted to taking giant boulders, and turning them into pebbles. Each process is quite the feat, and one would expect a giant piece of machinery, or a team of a hundred men.
But when one man shows up with a sledgehammer in tow, one would assume that he is especially strong or skilled.
But when he takes his first swing, and nothing happens, it’s normal to doubt. And that doubt continues to creep in. On the second swing, and the third, and the ninety ninth. Futile swing after futile swing, any belief in the stonecutter's ability has been lost.
The hundredth swing comes along and destroys the stone, and with it our doubt. Splitting the stone into two, it becomes clear that the stonecutter was not set apart by ability or talent. But rather by the ability to keep swinging in the face of failure. In theory, anyone can cut stone, all it takes is to keep swinging.
The stonecutter knew where to go, and that was forward.
So while climbing a mountain or cutting a stone may seem challenging, it is simply putting one foot in front of the other. That’s not to say climbing the mountain is easy, but it is simple.
Greatness isn’t about talent, it’s about direction.
Really helps me remember, that when things aren’t exactly going to plan, you have to keep chopping the stone.
I actually have a “99” tattooed because of this story.
Keep cutting the stone. Happy Sunday.