You'll wish that you had done some of the hard things when they were easier to do.

To live a life without regrets is a common aspiration for many people. However, the reality is often that opportunities are missed, challenges are avoided, and important tasks are postponed until they become insurmountable obstacles. The sentiment "You'll wish that you had done some of the hard things when they were easier to do" effectively captures a universal truth that many of us learn through the hard lessons of experience.

This statement underscores the importance of tackling difficult tasks sooner rather than later. Challenges often seem daunting primarily because they require us to step out of our comfort zones, invest significant effort, and risk failure. However, ignoring these difficult tasks usually leads to an accumulation of unaddressed issues that might grow and become even harder to manage with time. 

Consider the analogy of physical fitness. Engaging in regular exercise is a "hard thing" that requires discipline, time, and effort. If one begins an exercise regimen early in life, it can become a part of one’s routine. However, waiting until health problems arise makes the task not only more physically demanding but also more urgent and stressful. A person who has established a good fitness habit from a young age is likely to have a healthier body compared to someone who only starts exercising when health issues, such as obesity or heart disease, become a pressing concern. The former might find the effort more manageable because they have built up strength and stamina over time. 

Another example can be found in the realm of education. Students who consistently study and keep up with their coursework throughout the academic year can usually handle final exams and major projects without too much stress. However, those who procrastinate and wait until the last minute to cram for exams or complete extensive projects often find themselves overwhelmed and stressed. They might wish they had been more diligent from the start when the material was fresh and the workload was spread out and therefore more manageable.

The principle applies equally well to financial planning. Saving money and investing wisely are "hard things" that require one to make sacrifices in the present for future benefits. The earlier one starts saving and investing, the more their money can grow through compound interest. However, if one delays saving until they are older, it becomes a much harder task to save enough for a secure retirement. People who neglected financial planning often find themselves wishing they had made those hard decisions earlier when they had more time on their side and the power of compounding was in their favor.

Moreover, the idea of "you'll wish you had done some of the hard things when they were easier to do" also extends to personal relationships. For instance, addressing conflicts and communicating openly can be difficult and uncomfortable. However, failing to address these issues can lead to the build-up of resentment and misunderstandings, making a once solvable issue a possible reason for a major relationship breakdown. Individuals might then wish they had faced the issue head-on earlier when it was still a manageable problem.

In a professional context, this concept plays out through skill development and career advancement. Acquiring new skills or pursuing additional education can be challenging while working a full-time job. However, those who invest in their professional development early on often find that it makes them more competitive and opens up more opportunities for career progression. Waiting until one feels stuck in a career often makes it much harder to make the necessary changes and catch up on missed opportunities for skill development.

This wisdom can be a powerful motivator for personal growth. By embracing difficult tasks early and tackling them when they are "easier"—which often means when there is still time to make mistakes and learn from them—individuals can prevent the "if only" regrets that come with missed opportunities. 

However, "easier" here is a relative term. It does not necessarily mean that the tasks themselves become easier; rather, what makes them "easier" is the fact that one has more time to plan, make mistakes, and learn from them. For instance, a new job might seem difficult initially due to a steep learning curve. However, the longer one delays diving in and tackling the job's challenges, the more overwhelming the job might seem later on because the issues might have compounded or the individual might be under more pressure.

This principle also reflects a broader philosophical outlook on life. One must acknowledge that the nature of life is such that it constantly presents us with a series of challenges. By leaning into these challenges and making a habit of addressing them promptly, we not only make our lives more manageable but also build resilience and competence. 

Moreover, when we tackle hard things early on, we often find that what once seemed like an insurmountable task becomes a part of our skillset. Overcoming one challenge makes it easier to face future challenges because our confidence grows with each achievement, and we learn that what once seemed "hard" might actually be "doable."

In sum, the advice encapsulated in "You'll wish that you had done some of the hard things when they were easier to do" is a call to action. It reminds us that procrastinating on difficult tasks only makes them harder to deal with later. Thus, it’s wise to face challenges when they first arise. By doing what is necessary when it’s still manageable, one can save oneself a great deal of future regret and difficulty.