Life is hard at every level. Only when you make it to the next can you typically look back and see how much easier the early levels really were. Yes, I know life isn’t a game, but there are some parallels that apply when you take the emotion out and think of a video game. In video games, you are nearly always working to get to that next level. When you level up, the challenges don’t go away; in fact, they often multiply. I’ve certainly found this to be true in life as well. This could be the next level in your career, in your relationships, or in your own growth. Nearly all areas of life that I can think of can improve and progress, but none of them come with a side of easy. Thankfully, when you level up and things get more challenging, your ability to handle them also increases. You gain confidence. You gain perspective. You start to believe in yourself more. You stop seeing struggles as failure and start recognizing them as the very things that help you grow. You may, in time, even occasionally be able to view that next setback or failure as a good sign that you are growing, trying harder things, and striving to improve.

That doesn’t mean you won’t still get stuck. It doesn’t mean you won’t hit a boss level that wipes you out a few times. But the difference is now you know it’s possible; it’s part of the progression. You’ve seen yourself progress before, and that means you can do it again. When you feel stuck or are faced with a decision and don’t know which way to turn, my advice is always the same: Go towards the hard, go towards the fear. This isn’t the easy choice, and it often means leaving the comfortable and the known. But just like in a game, wandering around a level that you’ve already mastered gets old quickly. Sometimes you don’t know which way to go to progress; just find where there are still enemies to fight, and you’ll likely find yourself back on the path of progression.

Some people stop playing when things get hard or frustrating. They throw the controller and give up. This obviously only hurts your progress and can cost you. Remember to take a breath; if you need to walk away for a minute or a day, do that. Sometimes coming at a challenge with a fresh perspective can change everything, but don’t quit, pause. In games and in life.

Others like to watch other people play and beat the game online. Remember that watching someone else win doesn’t level up your character. You have to do the work. Sometimes a mentor in your life can give you that kind of guidance, and honestly, there is value in seeing others win sometimes, it can show us what’s possible. Just don’t let it take the place of you doing the work yourself.

I know it’s hard; I’m in my own hard, we all are. You might have to replay the same level a few times. You might feel like you’re moving backward. But each attempt is an experience. Each loss teaches something. And eventually, you break through.

And remember to avoid the trap. Sometimes we try to skip too far ahead. We want to go from Level 3 to Level 10 instantly. We see what looks like a shortcut! But if the gap is too big, you get overwhelmed, frustrated, and quit. That’s not growth; that’s burnout. Shortcuts do exist, but they shortcut your growth, so I’d suggest using them sparingly or avoiding them altogether. It turns out the journey lasts as long as you’re alive, regardless, and progress is earned. Every level teaches you something critical for the next one, so be patient, ask for help when you need it, but know that you will grow and that the next level, although not easier, will be more exciting and help you grow even more!