You don’t have to change everything in your life to find success. You just have to change a few things.
Welcome to Day 2 of the 5-Day Success Challenge.
At times it may be painful to begin the process of leaving your comfort zone. 
Often times what we each define as “success” eludes us because we are fearful of taking that first step out of what we know – even though it’s not what we want.
But taking that first step won’t kill you; even if it may feel that way. It may be painful at first, but there is very little suffering involved. After all, there is a big difference between being in pain and true suffering.
This story illustrates the distinction.
There once was a man who was sentenced to 25 years of backbreaking labor. His wrists were tied to the handle of a huge wheel that was inlaid in the wall. His job was to turn the wheel 10 hours a day.
For years, day in and day out, the prisoner would wonder what he was doing with this wheel. What was the meaning of his work? What was on the other side of this wall? Was he grinding grain? Pulling up water? Moving some sort of conveyer belt?
For 25 years he contemplated the meaning of his work, and for 25 years he spun that wheel. It was grueling, but he survived. When his sentence was complete he was released from prison. The first thing he did was run to the other side of the wall to see what he had been doing all this time. What did he see?
Nothing!
There was nothing attached to the wheel. For 25 years, 10 hours a day, he was spinning a wheel for absolutely no purpose. When the man realized his true sentence, he collapsed and died.
The prisoner was able to survive 25 years of backbreaking labor, but when he realized that it was all for nothing, he couldn’t survive for another moment.
So what’s the difference between pain and suffering?
Pain has a purpose.
Suffering is true torture because it has no meaning. Pain is bearable. Suffering for no reason is devastating.
Therefore, the pain you may feel as you take those first few steps into a new direction is a good thing and is purposeful. It shows you are trying and making an attempt to do things differently in order to get different results in your life. It shows you are stretching yourself and pushing yourself, which can be very uncomfortable, and painful, at times.
For me, real suffering would look like giving up on my dreams and goals; suffering would be quitting and wondering for the rest of my life if I gave up too soon.
5-Day Success Challenge Reset
Yesterday, I suggested you write down three “quick wins” or habits you would like to begin changing this week. An important step in achieving success is to begin doing things a little differently in your life.
Refer back to this list. Are you actively working on nurturing these new habits? Do you feel yourself moving out of your comfort zone? Does this feel painful? If the answer is “Yes,” then I would suggest you are experiencing growing pains and you are indeed making progress. Remember, think baby steps at first.
Tomorrow, on Day 3, I will give you an update on how I’m progressing with my list.
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