Mount Vernon High School

September 13, 2024 Joy for Your Journey Winning in any important area of life is hard. In sports, in relationships, at work, or at home, the pursuit of success can be downright exhausting. There are always new challenges to overcome, new problems to solve, and new mountains to climb along the way, and it’s not that hard for this long and winding road we’re on to rob of us something our very best requires us to possess: some joy for the journey. Joy is a unique winning quality that defines the champion’s pursuit and separates them from everyone else. There's a spirit that permeates every part of their experience, even the difficult parts that so often erode the energy of the average performer. That’s why most people refer to it as “the grind,” because that’s what this daily commitment can do to our joy. It can slowly and steadily whittle it away. So the big question today is, how does the champion maintain their joy for the journey? How have they kept the challenges they have to overcome, the problems they have to solve, and the mountains they have to climb from whittling away their energy and their spirit? And most importantly, how can we do that important work for ourselves? How can we strengthen that positive spirit and that productive energy for the challenges and problems and mountains that we have to face? Here are three specific ways you can cultivate more joy for your journey. 1) Clarify your purpose. The truth is, it’s not usually the hard work in life that robs us of our joy. It’s the meaningless work. Clarifying your purpose starts with recognizing that today matters, and that your commitment to competing today does make a difference. On its own, that decision might seem insignificant. But when you zoom out and more fully identify the harsh reality of authentic achievement, you recognize that there are no shortcuts or cheat codes. This way, the hard way - fighting and clawing your way forward, one choice at a time - is the only way. Instead of resenting that fact, you can embrace it. Especially when your work today has a positive influence on someone else - when what you choose to do makes a difference, not just for you, but for someone around you, too - it elevates your joy and encourages you to show up and give your best again tomorrow. 2) Practice some gratitude. Choosing to intentionally press pause and practice some gratitude doesn’t diminish the challenges of the day ahead, but it does help put those challenges into perspective. It’s good for you on occasion to count your blessings, and to remember that plenty of people would probably love to be in the position you’re in - challenges and all - including maybe even the old you, who perhaps once dreamed of being right where you are today. You could undoubtedly create a list of criticisms and complaints about your current situation, I have no doubt. But if more joy is your desire, then finding and focusing on all you have to be grateful for is the most effective approach. 3) Build your belief. Joy flows more freely when you believe the best is yet to come. If you’re convinced that your best days are behind you, then you shouldn’t be surprised that your joy for today is fragile and fleeting. I’m convinced that champions in any area of life are high-level visionaries, and beyond that, have an almost irrational belief in their ability to turn that vision for the future into reality. Now don’t get me wrong. Vision and belief on their own won’t get the job done. There is work to be done. But knowing where it is you want to go - and believing that you can get there - changes how you show up today. A positive spirit and some productive energy are critical elements of any authentic achievement. Why? Because winning is hard. Today's a good day to embrace that harsh reality, and then...to get to work. That starts with clarifying your purpose, practicing some gratitude, and building that belief. There will be challenges to overcome, problems to solve, and mountains to climb on this long and winding road ahead. Don't forget some joy for the journey. -Travis