You Have to Do the Work

By Brian Keith Shrewsbury
(Coach, Writer, Entrepreneur)

If You Want the Glory, You Have to Do the Work

Too often, people expect others to fix things for them or to hold their hands through every challenge. But true accomplishment comes only to those who are willing to put in the effort themselves. If you seek medals and recognition, you must be ready to earn them.

For over forty years, my mission has been to propel kids and young adults beyond what they believed possible. I've seen students reach heights beyond what I could have imagined for them—and I've seen others fall short. One thing I’ve learned is that as soon as I stop pushing, many stop achieving. This reveals a hard truth: genuine growth depends on consistent effort and self-motivation. Sadly, experience is not always valued; some people feel threatened by it, rather than seeing it as a resource for growth.

There Is a Paradox at the Heart of Success and Failure

Perfectionists, those most afraid to fail, are often the ones who struggle the most. Meanwhile, the people unafraid of failure—the ones repeatedly told they cannot succeed—sometimes internalize those limitations, when, in fact, their willingness to try could set them free. I’m reminded of a famous experiment: a rat left alone in water drowns quickly, but a rat that is constantly pushed under fights harder and survives much longer.

Challenge and adversity can provoke reserves of determination we never knew we had.

Entitlement and Complacency Are the Chief Enemies of Progress

When we expect others to pave the way for us, or believe that we are owed success regardless of our efforts, we become lazy, arrogant, and entitled. The achievements we value most are those that required sacrifice and hard work. The teachers and coaches who challenge us the most—the ones we sometimes resist or dislike—are often the ones who teach us our most important lessons. Not through abuse, but by insisting we confront our limits, fall, fail, and rise again.

Growth comes from being challenged.

Real Love and Mentorship Are Not Always Gentle

To truly care for someone is to help them face discomfort, hardship, and even pain. It’s through falling, hurting, and enduring struggle that we truly learn and build character. Sometimes, experiencing the depths of difficulty is necessary before we find the strength and will to rise.

A Memorable Scene from Lean on Me Illustrates This Point

Principal Joe Clark, played by Morgan Freeman, confronts a student battling addiction, taking him to the school rooftop and telling him to jump if that's what he truly wanted—to force him to confront the reality of his choices. This moment of tough love awakened something in the student: the realization that he had the power to change his path.

Of course, I would never ask a student to jump off a roof—such an act is extreme and belongs only in Hollywood. My approach is to challenge students intellectually and emotionally, encouraging them to face difficult truths and learn from adversity while always safeguarding their well-being. The goal is to inspire growth, not to put anyone in harm’s way.

In Life, Challenge Is a Gift, Not a Curse

When we take risks and are willing to fail, we learn, adapt, and grow stronger. God challenges us so we can become resilient, humble, wise, and compassionate. He lets us feel pain and consequences—not to hurt us, but to help us grow. The people and experiences that test us the most deeply often care the most about our development, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.

Ultimately, achievement, character, and wisdom are forged in the fire of challenge and struggle. If you desire greatness, embrace adversity, confront your failures, and commit to working for your rewards.