True Happiness Requires Struggle

"You need to suffer in order to be happy.”

This really caught my attention as I listened to it being spoken in ‘The Resilience Shield’ by Dr Dan Pronk, Ben Pronk DSC and Tim Curtis.

True happiness in this context is fulfilment and links to flourishing.

The problem why so many people don’t feel true happiness as much as they want is because of the way they think about true happiness. Many people think happiness is achieved from the outcome – the job, the money etc. but in fact, happiness is the by-product of the cause – the effort put in to obtain the outcome.

Without the struggle the reward loses meaning and thus limits the obtainment of true happiness. Let me explain, having a successful business can create happiness, however securing a successful business from it being given to you creates a different happiness versus if you had started and built the business. Why? Because the happiness comes from the effort put in and the challenges overcome more than the outcome. This also explains why some people feel confused and don’t feel the fulfilment they are seeking when they reach a goal but didn’t put in much effort to get there.

If we try to shortcut the process of feeling true happiness by taking the easy way or not facing the challenges, sure we may still get the outcome of happiness but it will be fleeting. Simply put, the more challenges you overcome the more reward and happiness achieved.

There is no true happiness without struggle.

Think of the things you’re most proud of in your life, they would have taken effort, persistence and at times been difficult….. and that is why it has been a source of happiness for you. Some of my greatest achievements, starting and building businesses, completing my masters degree, the impact I made as a leader in numerous organisations, starting a new chapter in my life, all were difficult and it was why they were so worth it.

If you want to be truly happy and fulfilled then you have to earn it. Start by understanding what creates true happiness and fulfilment and then:

1. Set goals, building the habit of setting small goals to move one step and celebrating when you do.

2. Expect and perceive challenges as part of the necessary journey to true happiness.

3. Persevere through challenges keeping the goal in mind and remembering the deeper the challenge the greater the reward.

Follow the 3 steps above and earn true happiness because of the struggle.