I used to think I needed a perfect map before I started anything. I wanted a 26.2-mile view of the road and a guarantee that the obstacles were manageable.
But after 12 Spartan races, the LA Marathon, a Century Ride in Iowa during the summer heat and the meat-grinder of Army Boot Camp and Officer Basic, I’ve realized that “waiting for clarity” is just a polite way of staying comfortable.
Rumi was right: “As you start to walk on the way, the way appears.” In my experience, the “way” never shows up while you’re sitting on the couch or staring at a blank business plan. It shows up when you’re mid-burpee in the mud or trying to solve a logistics nightmare in the office. Clarity isn’t a prerequisite for action; it’s a reward for it.
Finding the Friction
The philosopher Heraclitus said “character is fate,” and that character is forged in friction.
I’ve learned more about myself at Mile 18 of a marathon or during a high-stakes business pivot than I ever did when things were “optimal.” When the glycogen is tapped out and the market shifts, the filters drop. You can’t “pose” as a resilient person when the friction is real.
The course whether it’s a trail in the mountains or a boardroom is a mirror that doesn’t lie. It shows you exactly who you are when the air-conditioning and the excuses are stripped away.
The Takeaway
If you’re waiting for a “perfect” moment to start that project or hit that goal, you’re just avoiding the mirror.
- Start walking. The path only reveals itself to people who are already moving.
- Respect the friction. The stress, the resistance, and the setbacks aren’t just obstacles; they are the forge.
If you don’t like the reflection you see in the middle of the struggle, don’t quit. Stay in the friction until you’ve forged a character you can live with.
Framework: This post is part of Action Produces Data, the coaching framework for consistent production: take the next right action, track it and let the results, not opinions, guide what you do next.
Want help applying this in your brokerage? Book a 30-minute conversation with Mark at calendly.com/mjsession.
