For a while now, I’ve appreciated the idea of preparing for the difficult times in life by undertaking some types of voluntary hardships. I learned about this from listening to athletes who talk about pushing themselves harder in training than they’ll need to in a competition. By getting used to performing at a certain level, they become sufficiently prepared for the competition and have an easier time when the pressure is on.
David Goggins, who frequently participates in ultramarathons, talks about this as a useful tool outside of athletics. He says that choosing to do difficult things each day makes it easier to handle the hard times in life because they then seem normal. Additionally, the good times in life then become much more enjoyable and rewarding. Considering everything he’s experienced in life (much of which he’s chosen to undergo) and how well he’s doing, his method appears to be pretty solid. I’ve definitely gotten a lot out of his approach.
Some things that I do regularly to train for life and build my mental toughness include taking cold showers, avoiding instant gratification, not bundling up for cold weather, stretching, pushing myself to complete a difficult workout, and practicing with my unicycle until I get a certain number of good rides. I’ll also occasionally skip meals and go for a time without sufficient sleep, though I usually save those for when I’m especially busy and have little free time. In addition to helping me get through the hard times in life, I’ve found that routinely incorporating difficult and uncomfortable activities into my life also makes them easier to do, which is the case with all my other habits. Now I can work through soreness or minor injuries since I’m used to pushing myself; I know I’ll heal and feel better, so I’m able to keep going through my usual routines despite the pain and the discomfort. I’m glad I started doing this and I’m excited to continue pushing myself to new heights as I make my way through life.