We spend so much time trying to make everything in our lives as easy and convenient as possible.

Sometimes that’s a good idea.

But sometimes we should do difficult and inconvenient things. Not in spite of the fact that they are hard… but because they are hard.

It turns out that we humans tend to place more value on things we do that are hard than things we do that are easy.

Beginning something new, embracing change, raising children, finishing that book, building a world class firm, transforming the lives of people—those are the things that will give your life meaning. Delaying, coasting, or resting on past laurels will not.

There’s a positive correlation between what’s hard and what’s valuable.

Remember that the next time you want to take the easy way out.