Do Hard Things: A Very Motivating Book for Scholars

In the book Do Hard Things, Alex and Brett talk about how they arrived at the point of working harder and engaging more fully in the world around them. They share that it began as they were reading some of the classics. Their father had prescribed an intense study schedule for them, and they were reading classic books that were about big ideas. They were having discussions about the big ideas when they decided to begin the blog that grew into their website and book.

I was struck by the fact that they were reading classics when they formed the plan of how to begin making a difference. The classics are about big ideas, and people that have taken action on the big ideas. Classics can offer us inspiration about where to start, and give us the strength to continue when it becomes hard. Any person wanting to do hard things will be better off if they study the classics.

In Do Hard Things, Alex and Brett are just telling their story. They don't actually recommend reading the classics to others in the book. Perhaps they are unsure of how important that step was in their journey.

This is one of the books I recommend to scholars who are looking for motivation. Mentors and parents can also benefit from reading this book. This book can help a learner get excited about putting together some real world projects and gaining an understanding of their mission in life.