The Beginning Is Always the Most Difficult

Hey readers 👋

During my run yesterday morning, the topic for this week newsletter hit me hard, and I’m going to share it with you all.

Once I have started running, the first kilometre is always the most difficult. The distance I intend on running is irrelevant. If I plan to run 2 kilometres, 7 kilometres or 15 kilometres, the first kilometre is still always the most difficult.

Once I’ve gotten past the first kilometre, I seem to find my stride and settle into a comfortable rhythm. It’s almost like my body has woken up and now realises that it’s in motion. Kilometre 2 onwards then becomes relatively more comfortable until the end.

This notion applies to everything we do in life, whereby the most challenging thing is always the beginning. It’s the getting started. Once we’re fully up and running, things generally become easier.

Take starting a business or learning a new language or skill, the hardest part will be right at the beginning, when you know absolutely nothing. The more you learn, the easier things become.

Whenever you’re starting something new, and you’re finding it very difficult, these two quotes help me get past that first kilometre.

“Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”
- Muhammad Ali

“If you are going through hell, keep going.”
- Winston Churchill

Once you’re past that first kilometre, everything becomes relatively easier.

Don’t give up!

Have an awesome week ahead 🤩

—

Please consider sharing this newsletter with a friend if you have enjoyed reading what I have to say this week. Let’s spread the word.

Featured Article

Your Uniqueness Is Your Superpower

I used a short story to bring out why it’s important to call out the obvious and to have the confidence to share an opposing viewpoint to general consensus.

Samuel ObeSamuel Ajayi-Obe

3 Things I've Enjoyed This Week

1. Being special isn’t so special | Mark Manson - According to Mark, trying to prove that you’re special only feeds insecurity. Read what he has to say and let me know whether or not you come to the same conclusion.
2. The “Chosen Ones” Choose Themselves | James Clear - J.K. Rowling’s story was used to bring out his point that successful people choose themselves. “Successful people don’t wait to be tapped, chosen, appointed, or nominated”.
3. The Global Social Mobility Report 2020 - An interesting read on the social mobility of the 82 countries being reviewed. Unsurprisingly, the Scandinavian countries are the most social mobile economies, making up the top 5 on the list.

Tweet of the Week

This Week's Wisdom

“A person who judges himself based on his own standards doesn’t crave the spotlight the same way as someone who lets applause dictate success”
- Ryan Holiday, in the book: Ego is the enemy

I use readwise to resurface content I've previously highlighted. My followers can get an extra month for free by following this link.

Every Sunday, I write a lesson I wished I had learned 10 years earlier, to feed our brains with intelligent content to start our week.

I also share interesting articles, book quotes, and the occasional speech or TED talk to help us all get smarter, wiser, and live better.

I follow my curiosity at SamuelObe.com

If you’re reading this but aren’t a subscriber, sign up below, it’s easy!

Subscribe below to receive new post updates the minute they are published. You will also receive my weekly newsletter, where I share interesting articles, books, quotes and lessons that I have learnt during the past week.