Good morning!

I hope there is something in here that is useful for you this week:

​

be there.

​

A player recently reminded me of a moment I had completely forgotten—one that happened nearly a decade ago.

He took me back to a night early in his career, while he was playing in the lower levels of the minor leagues. A night when he gave up a walk-off home run. The opposing team and fans celebrated a victory while his team made that long walk back to the clubhouse in defeat.

Before I left the dugout, I looked back and noticed this player sitting on the bench alone, sobbing. In that moment, I decided to walk over and sit next to him.

Although I knew the player very well, I didn't know what to say. As we sat there in silence, my mind screamed to say something useful, but I couldn't find the words. So I stayed quiet—no questions, no advice.

We sat there for so long that the stadium lights eventually shut off; however, we didn't move. After an additional 10-15 minutes, he finally took a deep breath, stood up, hugged me, and said, “Thank you.” No other words were exchanged. We had no follow-up conversations, nor were there any post-performance discussions. In fact, I left that morning and didn't see him again that year because he had been promoted.

Months later, I received a text from him out of the blue: "Thanks again for being there that night."

That moment taught me something I still need to be reminded of: not every struggle needs fixing. Not every moment needs words.

Sometimes the most powerful thing you can offer is quiet presence.

If someone you know is hurting, they may not need your insight, your solutions, or your questions; just you being there may be all they need.

Try it:

I had completely forgotten this experience until this player reminded me of it. It made me reflect on the people who stood by me in difficult moments. If someone was there for you when things were heavy, consider reaching out to let them know you noticed.

​

it's supposed to hurt.

It looks easy until you try it.

That’s true of almost anything worth doing.

In the book Same As Ever, Morgan Housel shares a scene from Lawrence of Arabia. A man watches Lawrence put out a match with his fingers without flinching. When he tries it himself, he yells in pain and asks, “What’s the trick?”

Lawrence replies, “The trick is not minding that it hurts.”

That line explains why success often looks effortless from the outside. It doesn't look difficult because the person doing it has learned to tolerate the pain.

When you start something new, it's easy to underestimate how difficult it is. You assume something must be wrong because it doesn’t look or feel as easy as you had imagined.

The early struggle isn’t proof you can’t do it, it's just a signal that you’re new to it.

As you execute your process over time, what was once effortful and difficult becomes easier and more automatic.

What looks easy isn’t painless; it’s practiced.

Try this:

When you catch yourself thinking “This is so difficult,” remind yourself that "the more I do it, the easier it will become."

​​​

start.

Don't wait to feel ready.

Readiness is a decision, not a feeling.

If you've been thinking about starting something but are afraid to do so, this quote may resonate with you:"Start where you are. Start with fear. Start with doubt. Start with hands shaking—just start."

It won’t be clean. It won’t feel comfortable. You won’t know exactly what you’re doing—and that’s okay. That’s part of the process.

Progress doesn’t begin with confidence. It begins with having a direction in mind and taking action.

Long-lasting systems aren’t built by getting it right on Day 1. They’re built by stacking days of execution.

'Start where you are, with what you have—and don’t stop.

Try this:

Write down something you've been meaning to start but have been too afraid to do so. Tell yourself, "This doesn’t need to be good. It just needs to be started.” Then begin.

​

Hope you have a great week!

Justin Su'a

PS - If you are enjoying this newsletter, it would mean so much if you shared it with others. Thank you!

PSS - if you ever have a question for me, respond to this email and ask away! I'd love to answer it in a future email.

​

​

​

​

​

If this email was forwarded to you and you want it to come directly to your inbox, click here to subscribe

​About Justin Su'a | Instagram | Linkedin

​Click to listen to the "Increase Your Impact Podcast"​

​

​

​

​

​

​