Hard Now-Easy Later

I had a philosophy teacher that said something so simple but profound and I love to share it with others.  

This professor was always a great guy with a good head on his shoulders. He was happy and seemed to have a nice, easy going life. During one of the discussion forums we were having, a fellow student was asking about what his secret was. The professor then told us about the concept he learned a long time ago "hard now, easy later."

I was not really understanding what he meant at that time. As the discussion continued, he noted that when he was younger he realized that doing the hard work first makes things easier in the future. In contrast, he realized that if he chose the easy path, he would be setting himself up for more challenges later.

There are so many examples where this is true:

It is so much easier to sit on the couch than to go out for a walk, but, if we continue to take this easy path, our fitness suffers. To get into a fitness routine later is going to be that much harder. But, if we start now, and work hard at first, the new fitness routine will become our new habit. We will feel good and learn to enjoy the activity. Our health in the long run will be so much better... and an easier time later by working hard now. 

Another example is, fill in the blank with whatever goal or dream you have. How often do we wish something to be complete, but Netflix is calling our name? If we put in the effort now, then our goals will be achieved sooner, setting us up for that success path that we can enjoy in the future. 

By putting in the effort early, our habits are in place, the hard work is done. Then we get to reap the benefits ongoing. The time will pass anyway. Get the hard work done now, then enjoy the life you have created.