The Beatings Will Continue Until Morale Improves

This is often stated as a joke. While it would be criminal for a boss or general to implement such a rule… I find that life sets this rule in stone.

How Life Beats You

You’re Broke – This is not going to stop until you start saving money and working to improve your skills.

You’re Unhealthy/Fat – This won’t change until you lug your unhealthy self to the gym, regularly. When you’re not used to exercise, this is the equivalent of hell.

You’re Afraid Of Something – You only get over your fear by jumping in headfirst, perhaps again and again, even though it terrifies you.

You Have Bad Relationships – This usually doesn’t stop until you spend some time in lonely hell, and then make the decision to improve yourself.

You’re Embarrassed About Something – It’s only once you accept that you’re not perfect (and perhaps, that everyone finds out) that you stop letting it stress you out.

The Beatings Will Continue Until…

Life will continue beating you in these various ways. Finally, you make a decision to change, and then you continue to get beat for a while. Then you stop being beaten.

I was flat broke in Asia, and it wasn’t until I did more freelance work and saved all the money that I could make the investment to start my first e-commerce company.

I used to be afraid of working out. It was only when I forced myself into a daily routine, and sometimes worked out triple what I was comfortable with, that I lost the fear.

In Baños, Ecuador, you can bungee jump off of a large bridge. I was so afraid that I couldn’t sleep the night before, and I wanted to vomit. I only lost the gut-wrenching fear after I jumped.

I’m traveling constantly, but I still try to go on dates and have relationships. I’m not perfect, but at least I know not to look for an external excuse. The situation will only improve when I improve myself.

Until morale improves, until your willpower improves, until you improve as the beatings continue… the beatings will continue, perhaps indefinitely.