Are You a Rock or Sand?

It never ceases to amaze me how many people are in search of the quick fix, the magic bullet, or the effortless path to success. They want the reward without the investment, the triumph without the struggle. It’s wild, right?

But let me be clear – I’m not saying you need to burn yourself out, working every waking hour like a street dog. That’s not the answer. There’s a middle ground, a sweet spot where you can invest in your growth—professionally and personally—without sacrificing your health, relationships, or joy in life.

So where do you start? By becoming a voracious learner. 

Successful people have one thing in common: they consume knowledge. They read—constantly. And I’m not just talking about best-sellers or business classics. They read industry publications, blogs, newsletters, and even competitors’ emails. They study their field and even venture outside of it to gain a broader perspective.

They don’t just skim either—they engage. They highlight, take notes, and dog-ear pages for future reference. They devour information, good and bad, to refine their own understanding of what works and what doesn’t.

On my own office bookshelf, I’ve got four piles of books:

• Books I’ve read and want to revisit – because there’s always more to uncover.
• Books I plan to read – because learning never stops.
• Books I’ll never let go of – these are full of notes and insights that have shaped my journey.
• Books I intend to pass on – because sometimes the right book can change someone else’s course.Books I intend to pass on – because sometimes the right book can change someone else’s course.

Yes, reading and learning is an investment of time. But trust me, it’s worth it. Consistency stacks up. If you get just 1% better every day, imagine how far ahead you’ll be at the end of a year.

But I get it, personal growth is not easy, but it’s necessary. It’s not just about learning new things; it’s about aligning your actions with your goals, staying consistent, and having the discipline to do the work behind the scenes. Reading is the easy part…Takin Action, that’s the tough part—the part that most people avoid.

Remember, you are always one decision away from success or failure at any given moment. But here’s the good news: you’re capable of making the right decisions. You’re capable of putting in the work when others won’t.

Let’s look at it another way…

Success is like a rock. It’s solid, stable, but takes time to shape. Rocks don’t change overnight. They require grit, friction, and time to become polished. 

Sand, on the other hand, is constantly shifting. It’s easily blown by the wind or washed away by the tide. 

Both are beautiful and necessary, but when it comes to success, you have to decide: are you solid like a ROCK or scattered and unfocused like SAND?

If you are a ROCK you tend to:

Reflect: Take time to reflect on your actions, decisions, and progress. Self-awareness is the first step toward growth.

Outside Perspective: Seek wisdom from others who can offer new insights, point out blind spots, and provide valuable feedback.

Community to Help: Surround yourself with a supportive community. Collaboration fuels success and prevents isolation.

Keep Boundaries: Protect your time and energy by setting clear boundaries, allowing you to stay focused and productive.

Being a rock means being intentional with your time, resources, and energy. You’re grounded, focused, and willing to put in the work over time to achieve the success you desire.

Or are you more like SAND?

If you find yourself constantly shifting focus, feeling isolated, or sabotaging your progress, you might be acting like SAND:

Self-Destructive: Without discipline, you fall into habits that undermine your progress and well-being.

Alone in Your Journey: Trying to go it alone isolates you, limiting your growth and missing out on shared wisdom.

Narrow Viewpoint: Focusing too narrowly, preventing you from seeing opportunities and solutions beyond your current perspective.

Drifts in the Wind: Without direction, you’re blown off course, easily distracted and inconsistent in your efforts.

When you’re acting like sand, you allow yourself to be pulled in every direction, never grounding yourself in a clear strategy. Success feels elusive because there’s no solid foundation.

One of the best ways to move from being SAND to more like a ROCK and to stay focused is to surround yourself with a community. People who can help you see blind spots and keep you accountable. 

Learn to say no. Protect your time and energy. And most importantly, when you hit a win, don’t stop. Keep moving forward. Consistency is key, and if you stop too soon, you create the dreaded rollercoaster effect in your business—the highs and lows that drain your energy and momentum.

When you find yourself drifting—when your focus is scattered, and you’re caught up in busy work—ask yourself: am I being sand right now? Work to be more intentional – Do Less to Achieve More!

One of the biggest challenges to staying a ROCK is what I call “pinball brain.” You know the feeling—too many tabs open on your computer (where IS that talking coming from anyway?), too many distractions, too much noise. It can be hard to focus when your brain is bouncing from one thought to the next, creating unnecessary mental fire drills.

Ask yourself: are you practicing creative avoidance? Are you keeping yourself “busy” to avoid the real work? Too often, we trick ourselves into thinking we’re productive when we’re really just distracted. That is when a ROCK will reflect, recalibrate, and gain perspective from others.

Remember – outsourcing and delegating isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a sign of wisdom. And it gives you more time to focus on income-producing activities.

In the end, success is about being intentional. It’s about deciding what kind of person you want to be—rock or sand. It’s about doing the hard work that others shy away from, maintaining boundaries, and committing to constant growth.

So, quiet the mental noise, align your actions with your goals, and start stacking those 1% improvements. You’re more than capable of achieving what you desire. Stay consistent, stay intentional, and remember: you are a ROCK.