Do Hard Things

By Damaris Gingerich

When I was a teenager, I was profoundly shaped by a book called Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations by brothers Alex and Brett Harris. They told the stories of people my age doing courageous, impactful things that were changing the world.  Though these inspiring stories were motivating, the authors (teenagers themselves) encouraged their readers to have a perspective of embracing challenge in all areas of life. Choosing not to shy away from hardship is certainly counter to our nature, but through many practical examples they demonstrated that personal growth happens in seasons of pressure and even hardship.

I’ve carried this perspective throughout my life, into my career and even into my marriage. After graduating college, I began my professional journey in this field in which I had (very!) little experience. I was excited to be working with a wonderfully kind group of competent professionals, but I constantly felt intimidated by my lack of experience and knowledge. I felt unqualified, like an imposter who’d somehow snuck into a place I didn’t belong.

There were several difficult weeks, months, and even years that I doubted my abilities and felt like a fraud. In this challenging season I remembered the book I’d read all those years ago and I knew if I could make it through this season, I would be a better employee, person, friend, and wife. And sure enough, I kept at it, gained technical expertise, learned about imposter syndrome, and those feelings didn’t last forever.

There’s a lot of talk in the culture these days about “grit” – an invisible quality that causes people to succeed in the long term. I call it perseverance. It is the ability to keep doing something that’s right even when it’s hard. The choice to push through my workouts to get stronger. The choice to keep pursuing certifications that will enhance my expertise in my field. The choice to confront areas for improvement in myself.

Of course, we must tie this back to markets. Perseverance is harder in seasons of volatility and poor performance, but that doesn’t mean it’s not the right thing to do. Bryan Brand is often quoted around our office as saying, “decide in the light what you’ll do in the dark”. Or as Albus Dumbledore said in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, “We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy.” If you’re a client of our firm, we’ve chosen an allocation together that’s appropriate for your needs and goals. If that hasn’t changed, hang on for the recovery. Practice perseverance. Do hard things.