Choosing Your ‘Hard’: Nathan Crockett, PhD on Navigating Difficulty for a Better Life

In a recent LinkedIn post, Nathan Crockett, PhD delves into the nature of difficulty and the choices individuals face when confronting challenging situations. Crockett, PhD frames the discussion around the idea that while hardship is inevitable, the type of difficulty one chooses can significantly shape their future outcomes and overall well-being.

The post opens with a poignant anecdote about a colleague’s burnout, highlighting the often-unseen costs of relentless professional pursuit without regard for personal health. This sets the stage for Crockett, PhD’s central thesis: the acknowledgment that we always have a choice between different kinds of hard.

“The question isn’t “How do I avoid difficulty?” It’s “Which difficulty leads to freedom?””

Crockett, PhD systematically outlines pairs of contrasting difficulties, illustrating that the temporary discomfort of confronting a challenge often pales in comparison to the prolonged suffering of avoidance or neglect. He posits that discipline, saying no, having honest conversations, saving money, exercising, practicing vulnerability, and leaving toxic jobs are all arduous paths, but they are paths that ultimately lead to growth and freedom.

The Inevitability of Hardship

Nathan Crockett, PhD emphasizes that difficulty is not something to be avoided entirely, but rather a constant in life. The key, according to his post, lies in understanding the long-term consequences of different types of hardship. He argues that the immediate pain associated with proactive choices – such as exercising or having a difficult conversation – is a form of ‘temporary pain of growth,’ which contrasts sharply with the ‘permanent pain of stagnation’ that results from inaction or avoidance.

“The temporary pain of growth Or the permanent pain of stagnation Both are hard. But only one builds the life you want.”

This perspective challenges the common desire to sidestep challenges altogether. Instead, Crockett, PhD encourages a re-evaluation of our relationship with difficulty, urging readers to consider which struggles are constructive and which are destructive.

Choosing the Path to Freedom

A significant portion of Crockett, PhD’s post is dedicated to reframing the concept of choice. He moves beyond the simple dichotomy of ‘easy’ versus ‘hard’ to a more nuanced understanding of ‘different versions of hard.’ Each option presented – discipline versus regret, honesty versus resentment, saving versus debt – represents a distinct path with vastly different end results.

According to Nathan Crockett, PhD, the more detrimental path is often the one that seems easier in the short term but accumulates negative consequences over time. For instance, while leaving a toxic job is difficult, staying in one often leads to a more profound and lasting form of suffering, including burnout and diminished mental health. This is further exemplified by his stark comparison:

“Saying no is hard. Burnout is harder.”

By presenting these parallels, Crockett, PhD aims to empower individuals to make more conscious decisions about the challenges they embrace. He suggests that by strategically choosing the ‘hard’ that aligns with personal growth and long-term goals, individuals can navigate life’s inherent difficulties more effectively and ultimately build the life they desire.

“Choose your hard wisely. The pain is coming either way.”

Nathan Crockett, PhD concludes by posing a direct question to his audience: “Which ‘hard’ are you choosing today?” This call to action invites personal reflection and encourages a proactive approach to life’s inevitable struggles, framing difficulty not as an enemy, but as a tool for building a more fulfilling existence.