Summary

The text emphasizes the importance of embracing struggle and perseverance in personal and professional growth, likening it to a river's journey to the sea.

Abstract

The article draws a parallel between personal development and the natural flow of water, suggesting that individuals must overcome obstacles to achieve their goals, much like a river must carve its own path. It acknowledges the common human desire for easy solutions but argues that true progress requires effort and resilience. The author points out that many entrepreneurs, athletes, and artists face significant challenges and moments of doubt, yet it is through these struggles that they find direction and purpose. The text encourages readers to be persistent, like a river that shapes its environment, and warns that avoiding resistance leads to stagnation and a lack of fulfillment.

Opinions

Carl Jung's perspective is referenced, indicating that a psychologist's role is to facilitate personal growth by removing barriers, allowing an individual's life to progress naturally.
The author believes that people often wish for their problems to be solved without putting in the necessary work, which is an unrealistic expectation.
Entrepreneurs, athletes, musicians, and others pursuing their passions may initially be enthusiastic but often encounter overwhelming difficulties that test their resolve.
The process of achieving one's dreams is described as complex and demanding, requiring both immediate effort and sustained motivation.
The text suggests that self-mastery and trust in oneself are crucial for overcoming challenges and maintaining long-term motivation.
The poem included in the text conveys the opinion that a lack of resistance and direction leads to a stagnant and unfulfilling life, while embracing the struggle allows one to reach their full potential, akin to a river reaching the ocean.

Still Water

Why you should struggle

Carl Jung believed: a psychologist is to help remove the obstacles from a patient's path, so that the water of their lives flows again.

We all get stuck; stagnate. Want to be free of our troubles, but not really do the work — to have want we want, but not the work it takes.

When we do the work of moving forward, we hope we will meet our dreams swiftly, and without resistance.

It should be easy, right? Now that I’m actually trying.

But the opposite happens. It's big, messy, confusing. It's all complicated.

This happens to so many entrepreneurs — they begin with enthusiasm “I’m finally working for myself”, but soon find themselves lost and dejected. Building a company, a team, finding the market, having a life, growing various skillets, building a network, finding investors, dealing with changing variables and growing setbacks: did I really sign up for this, they think?

The same happens to people who take athletics seriously, or want to become musicians or cooks. It is really hard. Excruciatingly so.

It requires pushing yourself in the moment and sustaining your motivation long term.

It’s like balancing on a knife’s edge while juggling.

Fortunately, it's mostly safe. But it takes time to master. It requires more and more self-mastery. Trust in oneself, a feeling of being safe and at home with oneself.

Every river has to cut through rock. Every river needs to meander.

But be like the river. Not stagnant water. Here’s a short poem about that:

Only still water,

Meets no resistance.

Has no direction.

Needs no force.

Life in it stagnates and dies.

The pool becomes murky,

its clarity hidden,

its motives lost.

The river flowing,

cuts through stone,

meanders through sand,

and reaches

the ocean of life.