Faster, Stronger, Better: The Power of Discomfort
Dear Reader,
(3 minute read)
When was the last time you felt truly uncomfortable?
Maybe it was a social setting where you didn't know any of the other guest. Maybe you were taking on a new challenge at work, or a new project, and you felt entirely out of your league. Maybe it was learning a new skill, and you felt entirely overwhelmed.
Or maybe it was that 6 AM workout that you just really, really didn't feel like doing.
But what if I told you that embracing discomfort is one of the keys to learning and growing?
That's right. To become the best version of yourself or grow your business, you going to have to push.
That warm and squishy comfort zone is a cute little bubble, but if you want to grow, you're going to have to smash through it.
Brené Brown said, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.” And it’s in that outcome that truly powerful things can happen.
Here are a few reasons why getting uncomfortable is an essential part of personal and business growth:
1) Comfort = complacency
When we get too comfortable, we stop pushing ourselves to be better, both personally and professionally. We become stuck in a rut and our progress stalls. To keep growing and improving, we have to challenge ourselves to try new things and take risks.
Think about how you swung from the monkey bars on the playground as a kid. Did you know for sure you’d catch the next rung? Of course not. But you did it anyway. And if you fell, you got up and did it again.
2) Discomfort makes us more resilient
When you face challenges that make you uncomfortable, you learn how to handle stress and adversity. This process builds resilience, which is a crucial trait for success in any area of life.
3) Discomfort = progress
If you're never feeling uncomfortable, it could be a sign that you're not pushing yourself hard enough. Have you ever hired a personal trainer or fitness coach? Do you remember how sore your legs were the next day? That’s because that trainer pushed you harder than you’d push yourself. Why? Because he or she knew that’s how you make progress. And just like lifting a little heavier, or doing a few more reps than you might usually do will lead to a fitter body, pushing yourself will also train your brain that there’s a reward on the other side.
4) We learn faster when we're uncomfortable
When we're in a state of discomfort, our brains are forced to work harder to process information and learn. According to a 2018 Yale study, crazy, unstable situations are critical to getting your brain to do something that’s outside of your comfort zone. Their research found that stability is the off switch for your brain when it comes to learning.
That’s fine for your golf game, but not for your professional career or business.
Want to learn or grow? Get uncomfortable.
That's it for now. I’ll share more next week on how you can train your brain to embrace discomfort so you can unlock a more abundant future.
To stronger 💪 futures and more resilient 🧠 minds,
Cassandra
PS: our new personal branding cohort for business owners just kicked off. If you'd like to learn more, apply for a call.