The Hardest Goal I’ve Set

What was the hardest personal goal you’ve set for yourself?

Of all the personal goals I’ve ever set, one stands out as the most difficult—and surprisingly, it has nothing to do with achievement, competition, or recognition. It’s the simple yet incredibly demanding commitment to sit in meditation for one hour every morning and one hour every evening.

At first, it sounds easy. Just sit still, breathe, and be present. But in practice, it’s anything but. The difficulty begins with the schedule itself—waking up early before the day begins, and then carving out time again in the evening, often when the body is tired and the mind wants to rest. There are days when it takes everything in me just to sit down on the mat, especially when I’ve gone to bed late or when life feels overwhelming.

But the true challenge isn’t in the timing—it’s in the discipline. The physical stillness can be uncomfortable, but it’s the mental resistance that tests me the most. My mind offers a constant stream of excuses and temptations. “Just skip today.” “You’re too tired.” “This isn’t helping anyway.” And on some days, those voices are loud, persistent, and convincing. It takes effort—not once, but every single day—to overcome them.

There are moments during meditation when everything feels calm, clear, and meaningful. But those moments are rare. More often, I’m sitting with restlessness, boredom, discomfort, or difficult thoughts that rise to the surface. Meditation doesn’t always bring peace. Sometimes, it brings up things I’d rather not face. And yet, that’s part of the practice—to be present with whatever arises, without running from it.

Sticking to this goal is not about becoming a “perfect” meditator. It’s about learning to show up for myself, again and again, no matter how I feel. It’s about building the inner strength to stay with something hard and uncomfortable, and learning to meet myself where I am—with patience, with honesty, and with compassion.

More than anything, this goal has taught me that growth doesn’t come from what’s easy. It comes from what we choose to face, even when it would be easier to walk away. I haven’t always wanted to keep going, but I’ve never regretted the days I chose to sit. In that quiet, in that struggle, something shifts. And that’s where the transformation lives.