It’s difficult. It sometimes sucks all the hope and desire out of you. Often, it’s tiring beyond words. And more than anything, it’s always worth it in the end.

The majority believe that 1% Success is only attainable for the special – the very talented. The people who have achieved this type of success know that talent is a small part of the equation, and special is the countless hours they put towards their goals.

Everyone deserves and has the potential to become 1%, unfortunately, most just won’t do what it takes to see that fact become truth in their own lives. The ability to keep punching through the pain, knowing that this struggle will eventually lead to greatness is special. The discipline to wake up every morning earlier than the competition, simply to allow more hours of dedication is special. Unwavering self belief in the face of overwhelming odds is special.

Becoming 1% isn’t a technique … it’s a committed decision to believe without evidence, and never EVER stop until the goal has been attained.

OMGoodness, I’m amped about this weekend. I feel so good about the opportunity to separate! Let me ask you a couple quick questions …

The person willing to endure the most amount of pain will always separate from the pack. Pain is inevitable, necessary, and mandatory to reach next levels. It’s not whether or not you feel the pain, it’s how many times to laugh at it that will dictate your future.

The most successful people have learned, not only to endure pain, but to actually expect and accept it as an important part of the process. It’s not something that plays a role temporarily, it’ll always be part of your growth. Pain and struggle is the one component to 1% success that keep the majority from attaining their goals. Not being able to conquer it doesn’t always come from lack of toughness, but often, a lack of acceptance and understanding that it has to be a major part of the picture.

Every time you bust through a painful experience, you become much stronger and more capable of enduring the next round that will eventually show. The more often you repeat this powerful cycle, the more prepared you become, ultimately creating an unstoppable fighter, able to reach any goal that’s set.

Taking it to even a higher level, the 1% Success Stories are made up of people who actually invite pain into their daily routines … knowing when they conquer it, growth and improvement will be the automatic result. Think about that – asking for struggle to show it’s face! That type of mindset is unbeatable and will never lose in the long run – it’s fearless, incapable of seeing failure. Imagine yourself living this type of life; playing this type of golf, poker, or running this way on the track.

If you’re willing to endure more pain than the person next to you, winning will be your only option!

Make the decision that you WILL have it and endure the pain … 1% Success is yours!

I’m reluctant to put too many words to this picture, as it speaks a thousand all by itself. These hands represent pain, struggle, passion, discipline, and a sacrifice only 1% can relate to. This person is obviously willing to do whatever it takes to reach a higher level, even if it means tearing up her hands to do it.

This picture represents early morning practice, afternoon workouts, and late night immersion towards a goal most wouldn’t attempt to reach. It tells a story of hour upon hour of frustration, knowing that success can only be born from this temporary self doubt. When the blisters turn into calluses, the doubt will turn into a belief, more powerful than words can describe.

When you look at these hands, what’s your first reaction? Do you wince or feel excitement, fantasizing about sacrificing the same for your goals? The answer will determine your future!

Never, EVER tell someone he can’t do it! Success is in the trying — the daily grind of figuring it out for himself. The argument is always, “He should know how unrealistic his goal is…” Realistic is defined on an individual basis, and means something different for everyone. The majority would cower at my specific long term goals, telling me I’m out of mind for wanting to accomplish so much. For them, maybe it IS unrealistic in their world, but for me … that word doesn’t exist.

When they tell you it’s too difficult, remember all they’re doing is reflecting their own fear and jealousy upon you. Their insecurities should never dictate your decisions. Your passion and discipline to accomplish should be defined in the mirror … YOUR mirror!

What do you see, long term? How emotionally connected are you to that picture? How often do you spend making that visual more and more detailed? It’s your dream. Live it. Daily.

Very often, we can lose sight of the long term picture in the midst of the daily work needed to attain that picture. One day. One step.