Doing What Others Will Not

On The One Thing Podcast Episode 412, the guest Rene Rodriguez mentioned around the 51st minute that "If you can do the things today that most people aren't willing to do, there will come a day soon where you're able to do the things that others cannot do." Hearing this reminded me of an article I read several years ago about the Common Denominator of Success, and it is one that we have a specific group  of students in our building read each year. The article starts with the quote, "The common denominator of success - the secret of success of every man who has ever been successful - lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do."

This comes from the work of Albert E.N. Gray presenting to the National Association of Life Underwrites at their 1940 convention, which explains only using the male pronouns, but besides that point is completely salient today. No matter what innovations have come to our work, sport, school, or personal life, this concept rings true. He was speaking to a group of life insurance underwriters after looking into what made people of equal upbringing, talents, job roles, life opportunities, etc... perform at various levels of excellence. And in any field, the people who made the extra phone call, did the extra workout, completed their homework, or sent the thoughtful message was the one who out achieved the rest. 

The success is in the grit, the ability to do what everyone knows should be done but very few have the will to do. And this is nearly impossible in areas in which we are not passionate and don't fit our life purpose. Building habits based on our "why" in life will make it easier for us to do the dirty work, the mundane, the boring, the hard things that someone else will not do. It's what makes some number one overall picks hall of famers, and others career backups. The talent is the same, the grit is not because their purpose is not the same.

If you are looking for that next step, the promotion, the small thing that will set you apart from the rest, think of the details that no one else will do. And pick up that task, volunteer to take on a role that everyone else is grateful you take, and watch each small victory stack up to great success. Take ownership of the grind, and you will fulfill your purpose.