Striving Towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Some experiences will cut you deep. When that moment comes—when pressure strips away all pretense—what will people see? Strength or weakness? Character or chaos?

This is why developing willpower is crucial. It’s not just about thinking clearly or taking action—it’s about learning to thrive in an unpredictable world. Willpower prepares us for reality, protects us from it, and helps us stay effective even when everything goes wrong.

It’s also the hardest skill to develop. It’s what lets you stay calm while others panic, remain confident when circumstances are terrible, and keep working when your worst fears come true.

I’ve found it’s easier to control my thoughts and emotions than to give up trying to control other people. It’s easier to keep taking action than to sit with discomfort. It’s easier to think and do than to practice real wisdom.

But these harder lessons are what actually matter when adversity hits. The person who can maintain inner stability while external chaos rages has a power that nothing can touch.

I’ve learned to live by a set of core principles that keep me grounded when life gets chaotic. These aren’t lofty ideals—they’re practical habits I return to every day:

Always prepare for harder times. When things are going well, I use that stability to build the mental and emotional reserves I’ll need later. It’s not pessimism; it’s smart preparation.

Always accept what I can’t change. Fighting unchangeable realities just wastes energy and creates suffering. Acceptance frees me up to focus on what I can actually influence.

Always manage my expectations. Unrealistic expectations are just setups for disappointment. When I align my expectations with reality, I can genuinely appreciate when things go better than expected.

Always persevere. Most meaningful goals require pushing through periods when progress feels impossible. Persistence is often the only difference between success and giving up.

Always find meaning in whatever happens. This is the hardest practice but also the most powerful. When I can extract growth from any situation, I become stronger rather than just surviving.

Always protect my inner peace. External chaos can’t touch what I don’t let it touch. Having an inner sanctuary that stays calm regardless of circumstances is real strength.

Always serve something bigger than myself. Personal struggles feel more manageable when they’re part of a larger purpose. It gives meaning to the hard times.

Always remember I’m mortal. This isn’t depressing—it’s clarifying. Limited time helps me focus on what actually matters.

And then I start the cycle again. These aren’t one-time achievements but daily practices.

Like Lincoln, who lived by “sustine et abstine”—bear and forbear—I’m learning to acknowledge pain while continuing my important work. The goal isn’t to avoid suffering but to function effectively within it, finding purpose even in difficult conditions.

This transforms every setback into training, every challenge into preparation, every painful moment into an opportunity to strengthen the most important capacity we have: our ability to keep serving our highest purposes no matter what’s happening around us. Easier said than done.