Whether you’re an entrepreneur or in pursuit of more balance in your personal life, the road to success is not easy. It’s a lot of work, very stressful and at times brings on emotional pain. That’s the bad news. The good news is, every bump in the road leads to an eventual win when you crush it; you will gain valuable experience and knowledge; and you will achieve positive change without a doubt as long as you stay the course. So what do you need to know so you can be a merciless warrior on your path to success? Here you go:

1. Accept change. Plain and (not so) simple: you must be willing to change your way of thinking, change your routines and change your lifestyle. The successful person is immersed in constant change. It’s a way of life when you’re steadily advancing toward something. In general, many people are reluctant to change because it is uncomfortable. The unknown — not knowing what lies ahead — can feel unsafe and scary. Therefore, many people tend to back away when things begin to change even when they’re moving toward something better.

2. Have confidence. Find confidence and faith that you will be ok no matter what. There are no guarantees in life and there are certainly no guarantees of whether you will get exactly what you’re pursuing. I always ask my clients to believe in their aspirations, trust their plan and put in the work. That is the recipe for success that we can best control. Circumstances may help or prevent you in reaching your ultimate goal, which is part of the unknown that makes us uncomfortable. No matter what the outcome though, you can be certain that you will be in a different place than where you started which includes having more valuable experience and greater knowledge.

3. Make peace with disappointments. The road to success has potholes. Things don’t always go as planned so your ability to deal with problems and move on is everything. The negative feeling of disappointment is usually most noticeable; however, a better way of looking at difficulties is to see them as eventual successes once you conquer them. Remember – the only way to experience those successes is to push forward through the barrier. So keep going!

4. Make your health and wellbeing a priority. It is far more challenging to be on your best game when you’re not feeling your best. Changes – even positive ones – can induce stress, and chronic stress can cause mental or physical ailments. It’s important to stay on top of how you feel and address any problems immediately. There are many ways to manage stress including meditation, exercise and other relaxation techniques.

5. Don’t give up — stay focused. Success is not easy to achieve. Obstacles and setbacks are lessons, not destinations. Stay focused on the positive transformation you want to have in your life, and believe in your goals and your ability to reach them.