From the outside, success can look cleaner than it really is. This piece reflects on the work, sacrifice, persistence and trade-offs that sit behind the careers, businesses, fitness and lifestyles we often admire from a distance.

In today’s world, noise and distraction have become the norm, silence the novelty. You’re reading this on a phone or computer screen right now, but looking around you, how many other things are vying for your attention at this very second?

I sense that many of us face personal battles that sit under the surface, quietly running in the background of our lives day by day. They’re invisible from the outside looking in, with probably only a select few aware of your vulnerabilities and the challenges you’re carrying.

I was listening to a recent episode of Founders, where David Senra was covering The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. During the episode he referenced a quote attributed to Tom Sachs that particularly spoke to me:

“The reward for good work is more good work.”