Growing up, kids always called me “scary.” Not because I was intimidating, but because I was too anxious to do a lot of things they did, especially hard things. I admit, it’s a big reason why I still don’t know how to swim at the age of 25.
I still feel terrible about dropping my hobby of playing the viola because learning sheet music was difficult. Especially because embracing challenges in life can make you successful and may be what ultimately fulfills you most, according to Lisa Su, CEO of $190 billion chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices.
The best piece of career advice she ever received was to “run towards the hardest problems,” Su, 55, said during a commencement speech at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on May 10. “That’s where you find the biggest opportunities, where you learn the most, where you set yourself apart, and most importantly, where you grow.”
The advice, which came from IBM executive John Kelly, is what drew her to AMD, Su said. “When I joined, it was clear the company had a mixed track record. But I saw the potential, the people, the vision and the opportunity to help lead a company that mattered. ... It was actually my dream job.”
“Hard problems stretch you. They demand focus, creativity and determination. ... They give you confidence, they give you growth and they give you impact,” she added. “When you choose the hardest challenges, you choose the fastest path to growth and the greatest chance to make a difference.”
Su doesn’t advocate pursuing something solely because it’s hard. Instead, look for opportunities to learn new skills that interest you and allow you to “make an impact,” she said.
I had a mentor give me similar advice in college and in my early career. It’s why I changed my major at the end of my junior year, even though graduating on time while taking all my necessary course work would be difficult. (I did it, though!) 
It’s why I moved across the country by myself to chase my journalism dreams — and why I raised my hand to host a TV show last year though I had no hosting experience. (I did that too! Stream CNBC’s “Millennial Money” on Peacock!)
Some of the most rewarding accomplishments in my life have come from embracing challenges and doing the hard things. I don’t think I’d be nearly as successful had I not pushed past my risk-averse nature.

Your turn: What hard problem will you take on?

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