Business By Hormozi #146: Climbing the Ladder of Success

Tom and Emily were both ambitious. They had big dreams of starting their own businesses, and both were willing to put in the hard work to make it happen. However, their approach to success couldn’t have been more different. Tom always looked for the easiest path. He wanted comfort, stability, and security. Emily, on the other hand, understood that success didn’t come without discomfort.

As they were discussing their progress one afternoon, Tom sighed, feeling defeated. “I feel like I’m constantly stuck in the same place,” he admitted. “Every time I try to move forward, I hit a wall. It’s just so hard to climb this ladder of success.”

Emily smiled knowingly. “The ladder of success isn’t meant to be comfortable,” she said. “There isn’t enough room to hang around. You only have enough space to plant one foot, risk your weight, and take your next step up. Keep moving and don’t look down.”

Facing Discomfort in the Climb

Tom’s response was a mixture of frustration and realization. He had been trying to make everything perfect, searching for the easiest way to reach the top. But Emily’s words hit him hard. Success didn’t come by waiting for the perfect moment or looking for comfort. It came through discomfort, taking risks, and pushing forward even when it felt hard.

Emily had learned this lesson early on in her entrepreneurial journey. Every step she took on her ladder of success was precarious, but she never stopped moving. She understood that there would be moments of fear, moments of doubt, but the only way to progress was to plant her foot firmly, take a deep breath, and keep climbing, one step at a time.

The Risk of the Next Step

The ladder of success wasn’t wide, and it wasn’t always secure. At times, Emily would lose her balance, but each time she fell, she picked herself up, learned from her mistakes, and kept moving forward. She didn’t have time to dwell on setbacks. Her focus was always on the next step, the next risk, and the progress she could make.

Tom, on the other hand, kept looking back at the ground below, worried about the consequences of every move. He wasn’t able to move forward because he was too afraid of what might happen if he took the next step. Emily noticed this and gently reminded him: “You can’t let fear control your progress. The ladder of success isn’t about making the climb easy. It’s about making the climb with intention, moving one step at a time.”

Success is in the Journey

Over time, Tom began to shift his mindset. He started to take risks, to step out of his comfort zone. Each small, uncomfortable step built his confidence and brought him closer to his goals. He realized that success wasn’t about avoiding discomfort—it was about embracing it, knowing that each step forward brought him closer to where he wanted to be.

Emily’s journey wasn’t easy, but it was meaningful. She knew that success wasn’t guaranteed, but she also understood that the only way to fail was to stop climbing. The ladder of success wasn’t about perfection—it was about resilience, persistence, and the willingness to keep moving forward, no matter how difficult the climb.

Conclusion

Success isn’t about comfort. The ladder of success is narrow and precarious, but it’s the only way to reach your goals. Each step you take, no matter how difficult, brings you closer to the top. Keep planting your foot, taking the next step, and never looking back. The discomfort is part of the journey, and with each risk you take, you’re one step closer to achieving your dreams.