Take the Stairs – A No-Excuses Guide to Success

TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read)

• Success isn’t about shortcuts—it’s about discipline and consistency.

• The “easy way” today usually leads to a harder life later.

• Success isn’t owned; it’s rented, and the rent is due every day.

• Make one firm commitment instead of re-deciding every time things get tough.

Why This Book Matters

Ever noticed how, given the choice, most people take the escalator instead of the stairs? It’s human nature—we want the path of least resistance. But the problem is, the path of least resistance rarely leads to real success.

That’s the entire premise of Take the Stairs by Rory Vaden. We live in a culture obsessed with life hacks, instant results, and “working smarter, not harder.” And sure, efficiency matters. But at the end of the day, there’s no replacement for discipline and consistent effort.

This book isn’t about motivation. Motivation is fleeting. Take the Stairs is about self-discipline—choosing to do the things that are hard now so life can be easier later. Whether you’re a real estate agent, entrepreneur, or business owner, the principles in this book apply directly to the work you do every day.

I read Take the Stairs last year, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. No fluff, no gimmicks—just the simple truth about what it really takes to succeed. Let’s break it down.

Key Themes & Takeaways from Take the Stairs

1. The Psychology of Self-Discipline

Success isn’t about talent, luck, or even intelligence—it’s about discipline. Rory Vaden makes it clear that people who consistently achieve their goals don’t do so because they’re more gifted or have more free time. They do it because they choose to do the hard things, even when they don’t feel like it.

I’ll be honest—I spent years looking for the escalator, thinking there had to be an easier way to build a business, grow a team, and create wealth. And time after time, I found that success never came from shortcuts. It came from showing up, doing the work, and pushing through the uncomfortable moments.

The good news? Discipline isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a muscle you can build. And once you start training it, everything changes.

2. The "Short-Term Easy" vs. "Long-Term Hard" Tradeoff

We all face two choices:

• Take the easy route now and deal with bigger problems later.

• Face the hard stuff now and enjoy an easier life down the road.

Procrastination, avoidance, and hesitation might feel good in the moment, but they make everything harder in the long run. Think about lead generation in real estate—skip it today, and your pipeline dries up tomorrow. Avoid tough conversations with a client, and you’ll pay for it when the deal falls apart later.

Every time I’ve leaned into discomfort—whether it was making that extra call, tightening up my systems, or having a tough but necessary conversation—it paid off. Take the Stairs reinforced this: the hard choice today makes everything easier later.

3. The Rent Axiom

This is one of the most powerful ideas in the book:

Success isn’t owned. It’s rented. And the rent is due every day.

No matter how much you achieve, you don’t get to coast. You can’t just "arrive" at success and expect it to last without continued effort. This is true in business, in health, in relationships—everything.

I’ve had months where business was thriving, and I thought, Great, I’ve made it! But the second I stopped doing the work—the follow-ups, the outreach, the intentional actions—things slipped. Success is a daily payment, not a one-time purchase.

4. The Power of Commitment

One of the biggest reasons people struggle with discipline? They leave too many doors open. They “kind of” commit, which means every day, they have to re-decide whether they’re actually going to do the thing. That’s exhausting.

Take the Stairs argues that the key to discipline is deciding once. Make one firm decision, and then live by it. Instead of asking yourself every morning, Should I prospect today? or Should I go to the gym?, the answer is already made. You don’t negotiate with yourself. You just do it.

I’ve learned that when I make a rock-solid commitment—whether it’s sticking to a routine, executing a business plan, or showing up consistently for my team—things get easier. The mental battle disappears because the decision has already been made.

Actionable Insights for Real Estate Agents & Entrepreneurs

1. How to Build Discipline in Daily Business Practices

Most people know what they should do to grow their business. The problem isn’t knowledge—it’s consistency.

For real estate agents, this means:

• Making prospecting calls every day, even when you don’t feel like it.

• Following up with leads when it would be easier to assume they’re not interested.

• Creating and sticking to a marketing plan, instead of posting on social media only when you have time.

For entrepreneurs, this looks like:

• Tracking your numbers and reviewing finances regularly (instead of hoping things are fine).

• Setting clear goals and actually holding yourself accountable to them.

• Building systems so you don’t rely on motivation to get things done.

I used to think I needed to be in the mood to do certain tasks—like writing content, handling finances, or reaching out to potential clients. But Take the Stairs made me realize: discipline isn’t about feelings. It’s about commitment. The people who succeed aren’t those who always feel motivated. They’re the ones who show up regardless.

Real-Life Application & Next Steps

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned in business—and in life—is that the hard things never get easier by avoiding them. Every time I’ve tried to take the escalator, I’ve found myself stuck at the bottom, frustrated that I wasn’t making progress. But the moments when I’ve embraced the stairs? That’s when things started to change.

Your Challenge: Take One Step Today

Now, it’s your turn.

What’s one thing you’ve been avoiding because it’s uncomfortable, inconvenient, or just plain hard?

• Is it making those follow-up calls?

• Is it setting a firm schedule and sticking to it?

• Is it having a tough conversation you’ve been putting off?

Whatever it is—do it today. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Today. Because the sooner you take the stairs, the sooner you’ll get where you want to go.

Let’s Keep the Momentum Going

If this resonated with you and you’re ready to start taking the stairs in your business, I invite you to join my Unstuck where I share more strategies on growth, discipline, and building a business that lasts. It’s a community of like-minded entrepreneurs and real estate pros who are committed to doing the real work—no shortcuts, no fluff.

Click here to join the group →LINK