Progress Takes Pain

progress takes pain

When scrolling through Facebook the other day, I came across a post that caught me off guard.  Well, to be clear, the post itself did not catch me off guard.  It excited me.  The response to the post, however, really surprised me.  Let me explain.

The post included several pictures of construction being done on several sidewalks coming into the city of Coshocton.  It showed the machines being run, the progress being made and talked about the improvement this would be for the entrance to our town.  To be honest, I was excited.  I saw progress.  (It still has to do with “What you see.”)

The comments, on the other hand, had a completely different tone.

There were complaints about the mess.  Some complained about the noise.  One complained about what time the work was being done.  I was blown away by the level of complaining about the project!  (We all need to complain less…here’s why).

My friends, let me let you in on a little secret.

In every area of your life (and my life) progress takes pain.

Growth takes discomfort.  Improvements are hard and are mostly not convenient.  This is not new.  This a constant rule of life.

  • If you want to grow muscle, you first need to break it down so you can build it back up.
  • Proper home renovation nearly always starts with demolition.
  • Improving your habits takes breaking down old habits to be replaced.
  • And yes, replacing a sidewalk (or a road) begins with taking out the old one so there is room for a new one.

So yes, progress can be frustrating.  It’s slow.  Progress can (and will) be painful.  It takes work.  And whether you are building a community or a book of business, it will take longer than you think.  That is the bad news.  Progress takes pain.

But here’s the good news.

Progress is worth it.

Stop complaining.  Put in the work.  Be a part of the solution.  Keep showing up.

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Written by: Kirby Hasseman

Kirby Hasseman is the CEO of Hasseman Marketing & Communications, a full-service agency specializing in branded merchandise, digital marketing, and content creation. A passionate entrepreneur, speaker, and community advocate, Kirby creates weekly content through his popular video and podcast series, including Delivering Marketing Joy, Better Merch...Better Marketing, and Monday Minute. He is the author of several books, including his latest, Hit The TARGET, a marketing framework to help businesses reach their ideal customers, as well as Fan of Happy, Delivering Marketing Joy, Think Big For Small Business, and Give Your Way to Success. Kirby speaks to audiences across the country on topics such as marketing strategy, leadership, company culture, and personal development. Known for his energy, humor, and practical advice, he’s dedicated to helping businesses and individuals grow by building strong brands and stronger relationships.