When Pushing Hard Pushes Back

Jeff Sanders
Aug 23, 2017 · 2 min read

Moment of truth here.

I’m a productivity guy, but you know that already.

I’m ambitious.

I’m driven.

Yes, and yes.

I’m also edgy, hostile, and sometimes too angry for my own good.

Surprised?

In the last 9 months I have filed more BBB complaints against companies I work with than ever before.

I ended up in the ER in May for a stress-related condition.

I have panic attacks.

I don’t sleep much and I drink too much caffeine.

I work 80–100 hours a week by choice.

I don’t have a stop button.

Sometimes I’m a mess, and it’s hard to see any of that online. You can’t actually, because I don’t talk about it.

I have a nice headshot and a pretty website, but I’m more of a real guy than you realize when looking only from the outside.

Yes, I have a few good ideas and I share any brilliance I come across to help others — but mostly, this journey began as a cathartic practice of self-healing.

I began blogging in 2009 to figure out what I wanted out of life. That evolved into me desperately trying to answer tough questions by pushing harder.

I ran a dozen marathons, wrote a few books, and pushed harder.

I have always leaned on pushing harder — using blunt force to solve any problem.

It’s not healthy, and I know it.

I’m working on it, but it’s a journey that doesn’t have a clear ending yet.

In the meantime, know this: I am struggling too.

I have my own demons to battle and my own obstacles to overcome. I need to talk about this stuff more.

I really do.

So, if you see any outbursts from me online, you’ll now have some context as to where the passion is coming from.

I want the best for myself and others.

I have a high bar of excellence and most people fall short of it all the time.

It’s not their fault — it’s my bar.

I also fall short of my bar all the time. Maybe it’s time to take it down a notch? Maybe.

Probably.

Until then, I’ll keep trying to find what works and I’ll share the journey.

Thanks for being a part of this and for supporting me.

I am forever grateful.

)

Jeff Sanders

Written by

Host of The 5 AM Miracle Podcast, productivity coach, personal development junky, and raw vegan marathon runner. I eat a lot of bananas.

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