The Strength in Struggle, the Power of Focus, and Why Some Seasons Require Full Commitment
Weekly Newsletter by Quest Taylor
Read Time: 5 Minutes
Today at a Glance
In this week’s edition, I’m reflecting on discipline, struggle, and how to truly prioritize in life.
Here’s what we’re diving into:
Why some seasons of life require full commitment.
How real growth happens in the hardest moments.
A practical approach to balancing multiple priorities.
Let’s get into it.
1. When Life is Just Business
Sometimes, life isn’t about finding balance—it’s about committing to the moment you’re in.
This past week, I was in Madrid for a work trip. If you’ve ever traveled for work, you know the expectation—a little business, a little fun. You squeeze in sightseeing, enjoy the local food, maybe grab a drink with colleagues. But this time, things were different.
With my bodybuilding competition four weeks away, I couldn’t eat out at every restaurant, drink sangria, or casually skip a workout. My schedule was packed with meetings, early morning workouts, late-night cardio, and long days at the office. I had two priorities: stay on track for my competition and handle my work responsibilities.
I could have spent the trip feeling frustrated—wishing I could enjoy Madrid the way I had in the past. But I reminded myself: this isn’t a vacation, this is business. And in some seasons of life, that’s okay.
Not everything has to be fun or exciting. Not every experience needs to be balanced. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is accept what the moment requires and follow through.
Me at 4:44 AM going to the gym after being in the office until 10 PM.
2. Strength Comes from the Hard Parts
In weightlifting, most people focus on lifting the weight up—hitting new personal records, pushing for heavier reps. But the truth is, the real strength is built in the eccentric phase—the slow, controlled movement on the way down.
That’s where the muscle breaks down and rebuilds stronger.
Life works the same way.
Your bad days define you more than your good days.
Your response to setbacks matters more than celebrating your wins.
The hardest moments shape your future far more than the easy ones.
Right now, I’m in that slow, controlled phase of pushing through discomfort.
Every day, I wake up early, train hard, stick to my diet, and push through exhaustion.
Every night, I remind myself why I started—even when it feels like nothing is changing.
Every moment I choose discipline over convenience, I’m building something stronger.
We all want the upward motion in life—the successes, the celebrations, the easy wins. But the truth is, how you handle the downward movement determines how strong you’ll be when you rise.
3. Focus on One Thing (Per Category)
You’ve probably heard the advice: “Pick one thing and go all in.” But in real life, that’s not always possible.
Most of us have multiple responsibilities—careers, relationships, health, creative passions. We can’t just drop everything and focus on one goal at a time. But what we can do is choose one priority per category and put focused effort into those.
Right now, my three priorities are:
My bodybuilding competition (health & fitness)
Building my personal business (career & growth)
Strengthening my relationship with my dad (relationships)
Everything else? It’s still there, but it’s not where I’m putting my best energy.
The problem most people have isn’t that they have too many goals—it’s that they try to give equal effort to everything. And when you spread yourself too thin, nothing gets the attention it needs to grow.
Reflection Questions
Where in your life are you in the eccentric phase—the hard, slow, controlled struggle? Are you embracing it or resisting it?
What’s the one thing in your health, career, or relationships that deserves your full focus right now?
Parting Thought
We all want the highlight moments, the big wins, the celebrations. But the truth is, the struggle is where the growth happens.
Whether in the gym, in your career, or in life, your hardest moments define your strength. Instead of chasing the highs, embrace the work, push through the challenges, and trust that every controlled descent is making you stronger.
This week, ask yourself: Where can I slow down and commit to the hard part?
Stay curious, stay focused, and keep pushing forward.
– Quest