Hard Choices, Easy Life. Easy Choices, Hard Life.
I first heard this quote - “Hard choices, Easy Life. Easy Choices, Hard Life.”- in a 2017 podcast between Jerzy Gregorek and Tim Ferriss. On his blog, Jerzy explained what he meant:
Nothing truly meaningful or lasting has ever been created in a short period of time. If you learn the story behind any great success you realize how many years went by and hard choices were made to achieve it. Reaching for more is not only an act of ambition, it also comes from passion and love.
Nothing is achieved because of easy choices. I believe that people can endure any hardship if it is sensible and constructive.
Hard choice means never retiring, because the brain has to be engaged in finding new solutions in the moment, not just remembering old formulas.
Hard choices make us wiser, smarter, stronger, wealthier, and easy choices reverse our progress, focusing our energies on comfort or entertainment.
In every difficult moment ask yourself what is a hard choice and what is an easy choice and you will know instantly what is right.
You Know What The Hard Choice Is
What is “hard” for me, may be “easy” for you. What is “easy” for me, may be “hard” for you. The hard choice isn't universal but personal. But deep down you always know.
This idea has helped me make many “hard” choices over the years:
Wake up and exercise when it’s easier to snooze.
Take ownership as a leader instead of pointing fingers.
Work weekends, share knowledge and push beyond KPIs, especially when no one is watching.
Speak up against bias and discrimination, even when it ruffles feathers.
Build a cricket team from scratch, face the first ball against the city’s best when it's terrifying, and still perform - not just to play but to prove that underdogs can win.
Delay gratification to build wealth.
Risk personal capital to support people I care about.
Read and write to grow instead of scrolling to escape.
Useful Ideas
In every difficult moment ask: “what’s the hard choice here? What’s the easy one?” That’s usually all the clarity you need.
The hard path compounds. The easy one distracts.
There are no universal answers - only personal truths. But your best life lies on the far end of difficult decisions.
See you next Sunday.
👋 I’m Harsh. I collect useful ideas to win in business and life.
Here’s where I spend most of my time:
iDeals Virtual Data Rooms – building a $1B business by helping dealmakers close deals faster
M&A Community – uncovering personal stories and strategies of M&A, private equity, and investment banking leaders
Happy Ratio – growing a food company the hard way: profit-first, purpose-led
Marcellus Investment Managers – evangelizing long-term investing to build financial independence
Harsh Batra
(LinkedIn)