How to train your mind to enjoy doing the hard things

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Today, let’s talk about something we all struggle with — doing the hard things.

You know exactly what you should be doing — waking up early, eating better, being consistent — but when the moment comes, your brain fights back.

It tells you, “Let’s do it later,” or “Just one more scroll.” Your brain simply prefers comfort over challenge, short-term rewards over long-term gains.

But everything meaningful in life sits on the other side of that resistance. Growth, confidence, success — they all require you to do things that don’t feel easy at first.

The good news? You can train your brain to make those hard things feel lighter. You can actually enjoy the process of effort. Think of it like rewiring your mind — shifting from “I have to do this” to “I get to do this.”

And it’s not about discipline born from force. It’s about understanding how your brain works and using it to your advantage.

In this issue, I’ll share practical ways to make hard things easier.

Let’s start training your brain to enjoy the climb, not fear it.

1. Temptation Bundling

Here’s a little trick that makes hard things easier: pair them with something you already enjoy. I call this “temptation bundling.”

It’s simple but powerful. Instead of forcing yourself to suffer through a task, give your brain a small reward alongside the effort.

For example, only listen to your favorite podcast while doing chores, or only sip that iced coffee when you’re tackling deep work without distractions.

This technique works because your brain loves patterns. When you consistently pair effort with pleasure, it starts expecting a reward, which reduces resistance. Over time, your mind associates effort with something enjoyable, making hard tasks feel lighter and more appealing.

Temptation building isn’t about laziness or avoiding discipline — it’s about working with your brain instead of against it.

2. Start with Micro Goals

Big tasks can feel overwhelming. “Run 2 miles,” “Finish this report,” or “Declutter the house” can make your brain scream, “No way!”

And that’s normal — our minds naturally resist anything that feels too big or too hard. The solution? Break it down. Start with micro goals.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Instead of “run 2 miles,” aim for “run to the end of the street.”

• Instead of “finish the report,” focus on completing just the first paragraph or outline the main points.

• Instead of “Declutter the whole house,” tidy just your desk or one drawer.

Shrinking the task removes friction and makes it easier to start. And once you start, momentum often carries you further than you imagined. That little step turns into the next, then the next, until suddenly the big task isn’t scary anymore.

Micro goals also give you small wins along the way. Each one releases a tiny hit of satisfaction to your brain, reinforcing the habit and building confidence.

The key is to keep the bar low enough to start but high enough to feel progress.

3. Make It Social

Hard things feel even harder when you do them alone.

I know you’ve felt it — trying to stay consistent on a habit, push through a tough task, or stick to a goal, and there’s nobody around to notice. It drains motivation fast. That’s why involving others can make a huge difference.

• Share your goals with someone you trust: Text a friend or family member what you’re working on. Just putting it out there makes it feel real and gives your brain a subtle push.

• Join a challenge or community: Being part of a group chasing similar goals creates natural accountability. Seeing others succeed can inspire you to keep going.

Celebrating small wins together make even tiny victories feel more meaningful.

When you bring social support into hard tasks, your brain starts associating effort with encouragement and recognition.

Suddenly, what once felt like a solo struggle begins to feel like a shared journey toward growth — and that makes showing up easier. It’s one of the simplest ways to train your brain to enjoy effort.

4. Gamify Your Routine

Deep down, we all love games. Progress bars, streaks, little wins — they make effort fun. You can use this to turn hard tasks into something your brain actually enjoys.

• Track your streaks visually: Use a calendar, app, or journal to mark consecutive days you complete a task. Watching a chain grow motivates you to not break it.

• Use points or levels: Assign points for completing tasks and track them like a game. For example, finishing a work session = 10 points, finishing a workout = 15 points. Level up after hitting milestones.

By gamifying your routine, effort stops feeling like punishment.

Your brain starts craving the streaks, points, and wins. Suddenly, showing up consistently becomes a game you want to play, and hard tasks feel lighter because your brain is enjoying the process of growth.

5. Visualize Future YOU

Picture the version of yourself who’s already done the work — calm, proud, confident.

Ask: “What would that version of me do right now?”
Then do that.

You’re not just pushing through the discomfort — you’re moving closer to the person you want to become.
That makes effort meaningful, not painful.

Even with all this, resistance won’t disappear overnight.
But each time you delay instant gratification, you strengthen your brain’s ability to choose growth over comfort.

And the more you do that, the easier it becomes.
Not because life gets lighter — but because you get stronger.

Keep Showing Up

Every journey begins with the decision to keep showing up. Even on uncertain days, the act of moving forward plants the seeds of progress.
Discipline turns hesitation into motion. When your energy fades, structure and purpose keep you grounded.
Habits do the quiet work that motivation can’t. They build your future one small choice at a time.
Endurance is earned through repetition, patience, and faith in what you’re building.

1 clear lesson guides all growth: action first, confidence second.
0 hesitation when opportunities appear.
0 excuses when the work feels hard, just steady effort.

Intention gives direction to every task. It’s what separates activity from achievement.
New beginnings arrive disguised as ordinary days. Notice them.
Awareness keeps you aligned with what matters most.
Trust the process even when results aren’t visible yet.
Consistency compounds; it’s the invisible power behind every success story.
Inspiration often comes after you start, not before.
Evolution is the quiet proof that all the effort was worth it.

Keep building. Keep believing.
You’re becoming exactly who you’re meant to be.

Until Next Monday
Lorenc - Founder of Success Skill