I’ve written a lot of words for this site, hopefully most of them helpful in some way. And the more that I learn the more that I try to share what I learn with you. I think I said awhile ago that this blog serves as a sort of journal of reflections or “how to” information on shit that’s worked out for me and so hey maybe it’ll work out for you. That was the intent at least, I think its spawned into a little more then that. But what does any of this matter to you? You want to know what that advice is.
Don’t worry I’m getting to it. Anyways, I’ve learned a lot and the more that I share the more I learn. The more I have to refine my thoughts and thinking about things (one reason I recommend that everyone writes, even if it’s just in a journal). I’ve dived into a lot of different topics on here from getting laid to starting a family to finding land to fighting to bushcraft and more. Rule number one of running a successful blog is to stick to a niche, something I’ve failed to do…miserably.
But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Anyways when boiling all of this down and sizing it all up what are we left with? If I was on my death bed and could only give one piece of advice to you, what would it be? A piece of advice that would transfer across these myriad of different topics and be effective in each. Something that transfers across all areas. Granted this is a hard task to do and I did something similar to it not too long ago in What I Learned After Writing 1,000 Men’s Self-Improvement Articles but this is going to be different then that.
Good Music, Old Advice, & A Cliche
I like to think sometimes that my taste in music is unique. I enjoy listening to music in the dark, in nature, maybe smoking a cigar/red or drinking some whiskey, bout the only time I do those things anymore. One artist I’ve been liking more and more is Tyler Childers. One of the first songs I heard from his was Nose On The Grindstone. A song about working hard and pressing on even when you feel like nothing is working and nothing is going right.
Which reminded me of advice both my father and my father had given me when I was a young. And that was the value of putting the work in. Just shutting the hell up and putting in the work day in and day out until you get to where you want to go. Keeping your nose on the grindstone as the cliche and great song goes. And while I’ve seen many “rules” about life, success, and a great many other things violated, trampled on, or even screw over those that believe in them, this is one I can safely say I’ve seen “work” one hundred percent of the time.
That’s not to say if you blindly work hard you’ll get what you want. No, you have to work smart too. And then you have to do the work, day in and day out until the days blur together and you’re tired of whatever you’re working for and on, even have doubts that none of it was worth it and you were a fool for starting on this path is the first place. And then keep going deeper and deeper. Keep swinging the ax, pick, or whatever have you. Again and again and again, until the last thing on earth you want to do is what you’re doing…and then do it again.
Day In & Day Out
Keep your nose to that grindstone until its blurry before your eyes. Do it again and again and again until your mind is numb and your body is begging for you to stop. Keep working at whatever your goals, dreams, and ambitions are and never give up. Stick with it, consistency beats just about everything out there (other than starting with the damn thing in the first place). Discipline beats motivation and so on and so forth. Get your hands dirty and your mind numb from putting in the work.
Essentially keep your nose to the grindstone. If I could give you one piece of advice that’d be it. Granted I can give you a lot more and plan to, but if a gun was put to my head and I could say one thing, that would be it. Keep your nose to the grindstone and don’t turn away from it. Understand that any endeavor worth undertaking not only is going to take a long time but it also requires doing dog work. You have to get dirty, beat up, and bruised, even if it’s just mentally and with your ego (but will often involve mental, physical, and spiritual aspects).
Not popular advice but true advice and the best that I have to offer. Stop looking for short cuts. Just shut up, dig in, and put in the work. That’s all there is to it. Stop running around what you know to be true. Of course work smart, but the smartest work never excludes hard work, not for success. Never. You have to get (and keep) your hands dirty and keep at it. I think I’ve repeated myself enough but I’m going to do it one more time just to make sure.
Keep your nose to the grindstone.
If anything I said here interests you I’d highly recommend you check out The Ultimate Alpha Collection which is a compilation of 16 of my books for the price of 5. It covers everything from being a man to making money to getting the right mindset to getting girls to fighting and more and is a resource no man should be without. Pick up your copy today!
-Charles Sledge
