The Trouble With Never Having to Try

Let’s get one thing straight: if you’ve never had to work for something, you probably don’t know how to work for anything. Yeah, I said it. And before you get defensive, take a moment to ask yourself—what have you really earned? Not inherited, not been handed, not stumbled into by sheer dumb luck. Earned.

There’s a certain irony to the human condition: the less we’re required to try, the less capable we become of rising to the occasion when effort is actually demanded. It’s not a failing—it’s a lack of practice. People who’ve always had safety nets don’t develop balance. People who’ve never been told “no” don’t understand negotiation. And people who’ve never failed? Well, they’re not prepared for life, because failure is a guarantee.

Here’s the kicker: this isn’t just about privilege or luck; it’s about entitlement. When you don’t have to claw your way to the top, you miss out on the process that teaches you resilience, problem-solving, and grit. You come to believe that success is a right, not a reward. And when reality doesn’t meet those expectations? Cue the tantrums, the blame, the flailing.

Meanwhile, the rest of us—those who’ve fought tooth and nail, cried in frustration, and stayed up too late trying again—we know something you don’t. We know what it feels like to earn our victories. We know that the struggle is the point. The satisfaction isn’t just in getting what you want; it’s in knowing you had to fight for it.

And let’s be clear: the world doesn’t owe you effortlessness. Relationships require work. Careers demand hustle. Even happiness takes intention. The sooner we stop romanticizing ease and start valuing the grind, the better off we’ll be. Because the truth is, those who haven’t struggled won’t survive when life inevitably demands that they do.

So, here’s my challenge: instead of coasting on what you’ve been given, ask yourself what you’re willing to work for. What’s worth the blood, sweat, and tears? What will make you proud to say, “I earned this”? Because if you can’t answer that, then maybe the problem isn’t the world—it’s you.

Think about it. Or don’t. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.