I absolutely love this quote by Glennon Doyle: “We can do hard things.” It’s such a powerful reminder that no matter how difficult or uncomfortable something might seem, we have the strength within us to push through and come out stronger on the other side.

Living a growth-based life often means doing things that are challenging, things that trigger resistance, and pushing ourselves beyond what we thought was possible. And I can honestly say there are many moments throughout my day when I have to remind myself of that simple, yet profound, truth: I can do hard things.

And lately, I’ve been doing a lot of hard things. 💪

For example, just this week, I shared a very personal and vulnerable story about a business crisis I went through on my podcast, The I Heart My Life Show. Even as I was recording that episode, a thousand doubts flooded my mind. “Maybe I shouldn’t share this… maybe it’s not that important… maybe no one will care… maybe it’s not safe, and I’ll be attacked again…”

Now, in a way, all those fears could be valid. Sharing a raw and honest story can feel risky, and there is always the potential for judgment. But here’s the thing – despite all that, I knew I had to share it. And once the episode was released, I’ll be honest, I had what I like to call a “vulnerability hangover.” The emotions were real, but I was so grateful for the support I received from listeners. Their kind messages validated my decision to share and helped me push past the discomfort.

Another example: Earlier this week, I really didn’t want to go to my Pilates class. I’d heard some rumors about how tough the instructor was, and to be honest, I was intimidated. But I signed up anyway. When the day came, my mind came up with every excuse under the sun: “I’m going to be traveling this weekend, so I want to spend more time with my daughter.” “I have a million things to do for my business.” “The house is a mess.” “Maybe my back hurts too much.”

The list of excuses went on.

So what causes us to freeze in these moments, to talk ourselves out of doing something we consciously chose to do in the first place? It’s actually pretty simple: Fear.

Fear of change.
Fear of pain.
Fear of making the wrong decision.
Fear of failure.
Fear of judgment.
Fear of something being hard.

We are wired to avoid discomfort and seek pleasure. But how do we push through those barriers and take action? How do we break the patterns holding us back from the results we desire?

Here’s what I did when I faced that resistance on my way to Pilates:

1️⃣ I reminded myself that my mind was lying.
The decision to sign up for that class wasn’t made by my fears—it was made by my higher self, the version of me who knows my goals and my truth. So when my mind started spitting out excuses, I reminded myself that those thoughts were not grounded in reality. I refuted each limiting belief, one by one.

For example:
❌ “I don’t have time.” – False. I have time.
❌ “My business is more important than my health.” – False. I deserve both.
❌ “I need to clean the house.” – False. The house can wait.
❌ “I won’t be able to do the class.” – False. I may struggle, but I can still do it.

My mind is great at creating overwhelm to stop me from taking action. I know this is one of my stopping strategies, and identifying it is key to pushing through.

(Pro Tip: Identify your own stopping strategies so you can bypass them!)

2️⃣ I reminded myself that the thing I was resisting would actually help me get the results I want.
Even though I love my work and could spend hours at my desk, I also know how crucial my health is. I know how I feel after a good Pilates class—strong, energized, and ready to take on the world. So I focused on that feeling, not the fear. I remembered other times when I didn’t want to go to class, but afterward felt grateful I did.

3️⃣ I put accountability in place.
I’ll be honest, sometimes the only thing that gets me to a class is knowing I’ve paid for it and there’s no way out. That commitment is a form of accountability. Having a personal trainer or coach also provides an extra layer of responsibility. Accountability makes a huge difference. After Pilates, the teacher complimented me on my strength, and that positive reinforcement made me want to come back and get even stronger! We all need that kind of support.

4️⃣ Bonus Tip: Do the hard things first thing in the morning.
I know how exhausting it can be to constantly push through resistance. This is why many experts, including my dear friend Dr. James Rouse, recommend tackling hard tasks in the morning when willpower is strongest. When you do the hard things first, it’s easier to maintain momentum throughout the day.

I’ve seen Dr. Rouse’s morning routine firsthand—he gets up at 4 AM, works out, does cold plunges, and even makes his pre-workout shake in the dark. It’s inspiring to witness someone so dedicated to doing the hard things right off the bat.

Whether it’s a challenging Pilates class, delivering a TEDx talk, or writing a book, we all have our own version of hard things to face. And we can do them.

One question I get asked often is how to know whether something is just resistance or if it’s a sign that something isn’t aligned. Going back to Pilates—if I didn’t like the class or wasn’t getting the results I wanted, then it would be an alignment issue. But because I know I love Pilates and it helps me feel my best, I know that my resistance is just fear holding me back.

(Another Pro Tip: Take the time to find what you love, or at least like, and stick with it! You’ll be much more likely to keep going.)

And as for the vulnerability I mentioned earlier? I’ve developed a trust muscle that tells me even if I mess up or get attacked online, I can handle it. I’ll continue to follow my heart because my desire to connect and serve is far greater than any fear I might have. Desire wins over fear.

I hope this helps you take action toward your own hard things. If this resonates with you, I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts!