Want Less or Suffer More

Good morning,

There are only two ways to live:

You either suffer more - or you want less.

Most of us try a third way. It doesn’t exist.

This week has been one of the most mentally demanding stretches I’ve had in a long time. Early mornings. Hard conversations. Forcing clarity where fog used to live. Pulling things out of my head and onto paper that I would much rather “just handle.”

It would be:

• Easier to want less clarity.
• Easier to want less responsibility.
• Easier to want less pressure.

But that kind of “wanting less” doesn’t lead to peace. It leads to drift.

So I chose the other option.

• I suffered more.
• I woke up earlier.
• I stayed with the discomfort.
• I didn’t quit when my brain wanted relief.
• I did the hard thing now so I don’t have to live with regret later.

Here’s what I’m learning again (the hard way, which is usually the true way):

Suffering with purpose simplifies your life. Avoiding it complicates everything.

Most people don’t suffer too much.

They suffer too little - and then wonder why life feels heavy, scattered, and unfulfilling.

• The discipline hurts.
• The clarity costs.
• The early mornings sting.

But they buy you something priceless:

freedom, peace, and self-respect.

So today, I’ll leave you with a question worth sitting with:

Where are you trying to want less… when what you really need is to suffer a little more?

Choose wisely.

Your future self will thank you.

Your Pal,

 

Paleo Nick

PS: “The danger is in looking at an undisciplined decision and thinking that no harm has been done.” - Jim Rohn

To watch the Youtube video where I learned this concept, click here: 

Diary of a CEO - Morgan Housel