Nobody is Cut Out for This: The Wisdom of Hard Work and Growth
Episode #355
The young cowboy felt the raw sting in his legs—rubbed raw from too much time in the saddle. He wasn't used to this, not yet. Every movement ached. He looked to the older cowboy, the seasoned one who had long since passed this stage, and admitted, "I don't think I'm cut out for this."
The older cowboy, unfazed, simply replied, "Nobody is, Jimmy. It's got to be cut into you."
The Process of Becoming Useful
Hard work and perseverance are not innate qualities—they are carved into a person through experience, struggle, and discipline. The philosophy of Stoicism teaches many things, but at its core, it urges people to become useful.
To be useful is to contribute, to be of value to others. This means being courageous, pro-social, disciplined, and willing to take on challenges that others shy away from. However, achieving this usefulness does not happen overnight, nor does it happen without pain.
Our society often divides into two mindsets: those who do the bare minimum to get by, and those who push themselves to their limits—the few who embrace the struggle and become stronger for it. Becoming useful means going through a difficult learning phase, one that is often painful and exhausting.
Growth Requires Pain
The young cowboy in Yellowstone wasn’t born ready for the life of hard labor. He came from a background of crime and struggle, and now he was thrust into a world that demanded resilience. He questioned his ability to endure, but the truth imparted to him was simple: no one is naturally cut out for this.
Think of a raw piece of stone. A sculptor doesn’t magically find a perfect statue within it—he chisels, chips, and hammers away at everything that is unnecessary. Michelangelo famously said that he saw the statue within the marble and simply removed what wasn’t needed. That’s what becoming useful is like. You are not handed the perfect form; you must carve it into yourself by cutting away everything that holds you back—laziness, selfishness, fear, resentment, and doubt.
This is why hard work is so difficult—because it hurts. It requires you to give up comforts, to endure setbacks, and to face failures without quitting. But this is the only way to develop true resilience and strength.
The Illusion of Being “Cut Out” for Something
It’s easy to look at successful people and assume they were always meant to be where they are. We like to think that athletes, engineers, doctors, and artists were just naturally gifted, that they were cut out for their roles. But we don’t see the years of sacrifice, the thousands of failures, the pain, and the effort it took to get there.
In reality, no one is born an Olympic lifter, a world-class musician, or a great leader. They have to become those things. They have to be forged in fire, molded by their struggles, and refined through endless effort.
The Stoic Perspective: Living According to Nature
Now, Stoicism does suggest that we should live according to our nature, which includes understanding our strengths and weaknesses. Some people have natural inclinations toward certain skills, but this does not exempt them from the process of growth. Even if you have a talent for math, you still have to study. Even if you are naturally athletic, you still have to train.
So while you may be more suited to some things than others, nothing comes without effort. The process of refinement—of cutting away the unnecessary parts of yourself—is universal. Even the strongest, the most successful, and the wisest had to suffer and struggle to get there.
Encouragement in the Journey
This truth can be discouraging at first. Realizing that you are not naturally cut out for anything may make you feel inadequate. But in reality, it’s one of the most empowering realizations you can have.
Because it means that everyone who is great at something was once a beginner. Everyone who seems effortless in their work once bled, sweated, and doubted themselves. And if they could endure it, so can you.
If you have a dream, a goal, or a vision of the person you want to become, don’t be discouraged by the difficulty of the path. Recognize that it is supposed to be difficult. Accept that you will have to endure pain, hardship, and sacrifice. And know that through this process, you are cutting away the unnecessary parts of yourself and shaping yourself into something greater.
Nobody is born ready. But through effort, discipline, and time, you can carve yourself into the person you want to be.
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Brandon Tumblin is most well-known for his podcast, The Strong Stoic Podcast, where he discusses philosophical ideas (solo and guest episodes).
Brandon is also a writer for THE STOIC, the official journal of The Stoic Gym.