It's Friday night, Stockholm is busy and people are preparing for a night out. Myself? I just wrapped up a day of studying, and now look forward to spend the evening hustling and getting shit done, just the way I like it ✌🏼💯

*Image Source* ## Quick Life Update It's been a while since the latest 'Better You' article, the reason? Just a busy schedule that consumes a large portion of my time. And I tend to put a lot more time and effort on these articles than I do on other posts. As you probably have noticed I've been doing a lot of d.tube lately which have been fun. Plus, it's easier to put up a camera and press record than sitting down writing for a couple of hours. And the rewards have been quite good to say the least, d.tube have been very generous which I deeply appreciate. While video format is great I miss the real conversation though. My reading and comment engagement on these 'Better You' posts have simply been outstanding, and I miss connecting with you guys on a deeper level here in the comment-section and on discord. Hence, I will aim to do more writing again, at least a couple of times per week amidst my d.tube content and freewriting articles. Like that idea? Please let me know, I'm all for that dialogue with you guys, that's where the serious value happens 🙏🏼🔥 ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbHFBt4as5Jv6YLyrh4m7mayDr86zcRVTy7hQugAErE5f/image.png) ## So what do you got for us today William? Lately I've been reading a book written by the world-class (but rather unknown) investor Ray Dalio who founded Bridgewater. Today he is ranked as one of the 50 most influential people in the world and has left quite a mark to say the least. In the book he outlines his principles for success he has accumulated over the years. Both in terms of personal fulfillment and the field of investing. Furthermore, last night I read a profound quote that will serve as the basis for today's post. So buckle up for some profound wisdom and prepare to engage in some mental masturbation 🤟🏼 ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbHFBt4as5Jv6YLyrh4m7mayDr86zcRVTy7hQugAErE5f/image.png) ## Crucial Criteria for Success > Once you accept that playing the game will be uncomfortable, and you do it for a while, it will become much easier… When you think that it’s too hard, remember that in the long run, **doing the things that will make you successful is a lot easier than being unsuccessful.** In life you will always experience pain. Pursuing your dreams needless to say comes with a lot of pain, struggle and adversity. Likewise, pain arises if you just say 'fuck it' and live an unfulfilled life where you risk not living up to your potential. *However, have you ever reflected upon what might distinguish one pain from the other and how this may impact your life?* Think of it like this: **There is good pain, and then there is bad pain.** Good pain arises as a consequence of pushing towards realising your goals. A good metaphor would be the gym, where in order to achieve growth there is the inevitable fact that you will experience pain in the process. This is good pain because the pain is a fundamental prerequisite for growth. You're in the *stretch-zone*, **sacrificing today for tomorrows betterment.**

*Image Source* Bad pain arises when you're struggling to accomplish what you don't truly desire. This pain is usually much worse, and a lot more draining. Ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs or parents survive the struggles and pain that comes from spending every waking hour to their respective projects? While it isn't the only reason, the fact that the pain they are experiencing our of 'good' nature it becomes bearable and incredibly rewarding. In contrast, if you ever had a job you hated you are likely to be familiar with pain of 'bad' nature; the dreadful experience of coming home from work with sub-zero energy only to fall as sleep and wake up to do it all over again... While the previous examples might be obvious, distinguishing the two apart isn't always easy. And knowing which goals to pursue and which goals to drop can cause great friction and uncertainty in people's lives. The thing is that anything worthwhile in life comes with its package of adversity. And the people who fail to recognize this is a necessary evil in order to execute on their long-term goals often don't make it that far. On the other hand, people who recognize and accept that pain, adversity and boredom is are necessities in order to achieve their dreams will have the ability to look at the struggle as temporary, putting their focus on the horizon and push through. And in most cases, as you pursue a project and make it through the initial phase, it all becomes way easier and you may reap the rewards.

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Steemit is the perfect example, because likely you're here because you want to achieve some goal or vision of yours. And especially if you're new, you're likely to face adversity of some sort of the other, and at times the light at the end of tunnel may be hard to see. Although if your vision and actions are aligned, you will hopefully recognize that this is good pain and view the struggle you're going through as something temporary. And I can promise you, the pain that comes from pursuing your goals on Steemit will be way milder than the pain you might experience working a job you hate until the grim reaper shows up at your door. Hopefully in the future, we may all look back and agree with Freud when he said: *One day, in retrospect, the years of struggle will strike you as the most beautiful.* ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbHFBt4as5Jv6YLyrh4m7mayDr86zcRVTy7hQugAErE5f/image.png) Hope you all enjoyed this article, let me know your thoughts in the comments 🙏🏼 CRUSH IT this weekend everyone! 👊🏼💯 ### Latest Posts and Videos Let's Explore the World #4 - EXTREME ICE-CLIMBING IN NORWAY Simple HACK to Make Your Steemit Content Producing More FUN & PROFITABLE SCREW Traditional Goal-setting, THIS Is How You Achieve Your Dreams PURSUE YOUR VISION, OR DIE WITH YOUR DREAMS ### Previous 'Better You' articles Better You #8 : Ancient Truths that will Revolutionize Your Modern Life Better You #7 : Increase Your Social Intelligence - How to Deal with People. Better You #6 : How to Deal with Failure Better You #5 : How to Become a Professional and Conquer Resistance Better You #4 : The Difficult Art of Relaxation & The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck Better You #3 : Investing $1000 in Steem. Inside suffering is the seed of change. Better You #2 : Hacks to improve your sleep and practical tips & thoughts to enhance your life Better You #1 : A new Steemit project to help us all become the best version of ourselves ![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmavsqzm5bGX5K2rZZ5Ntg79ktb4HTFchTpGEQeH7jjiwM/image.png)