Pain Before Pleasure

When I first started conceptualizing my blog, I thought that I would base it primarily off of my personal thoughts and philosophies about business and finance, which I’ve done. I failed however, to focus at all about a motto I have tried to live by for quite a while now.

The phrase “Pain before pleasure,” symbolizes the relationship between working through difficult times for a big reward. For instance, college. College is now considered a necessity for those that would like to climb the corporate ladder or get a “good” job. Which for the most part is true.

On the other hand, there is the choice of not attending a university. While this may allow a person to work starting right now, it may limit them to a lower corporate ceiling than a college educated person.

I am by no means an advocate for attending a university without reserve. I am trying to explain why taking some pain now, e.g. going to school, is worth the added pleasure of achieving higher position in a company than the non-educated coworker. When applying for jobs, having a degree puts you ahead in the selection process above other applicants.

I believe this to be true in almost every instance relating to life. The concept of pain before pleasure that is. It has a lot to do with being disciplined. Disciplined enough to save now and spend later, take the pain now for more pleasure later.

How Can You Start Taking Pain Before Pleasure?

Take a look at what you do on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis. What do you do that gives you instant gratification but could be done differently that would yield a better result. Should you go to work a little earlier so that you get that promotion and have to work less in the future, etc.

How about non professional things in your life?

I hate living or working in a cluttered environment. I constantly clean and organize everything. Too many times I have looked for a receipt and not been able to find it simply because I didn’t put it where I should have. This requires me to be proactive and take a little pain and not just throw an item on my desk and forget about it. I must put it where it needs to go immediately.

This can make your life better in general. Living like this is not for the lazy.

Any feedback would be helpful. I am curiou of other’s mantras and things that they you by. Hopefully you guys can improve my life and I can do the same for you. Let me know!