It is a very normal human tendency to seek comfort. We often enjoy doing things that are safe, family, less risky, and easy. It is true that there is nothing wrong with seeking comfort, but remaining in your comfort zone may make you not to reach your full potentials. You have to understand that having your expectations only on what is easy may ultimately affect your growth. To grow, you will have to learn to move out of your comfort zone, be willing to face new challenges, take calculated risks, and do the things that stretch your ability. This is why becoming comfortable with discomfort is a good habit to develop if success is your desire.
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Discomfort does not mean that something is wrong or that you are doing something that is not right. Sometimes, it might just be that you are growing. When you were in primary school for example, the maths that you solved were centered majorly on arithmetics and they were easy. But when you got higher and entered secondary school, the maths become more tasking and other complexities entered into the maths. This is not because something is wrong, but because you are growing. When you begin to normalize discomfort, then it may just be a sign that you are indeed growing.
I have come to realise that, in life, some opportunities, and even some pathway to growth can first come as discomfort. A lot of the great achievements that you see today once started by people who moved to do things that are unfamiliar. If you limit yourself to doing only what feels easy and only what you are familiar to, then you will continue experiencing the same result. If you have to grow, then it is expected that you begin to stretch yourself more, even beyond your ability. No matter what you are doing; like learning skill, starting a business, learning a new language, etc, the beginning usually feels uncomfortable. But instead of avoiding the task because of the discomfort, you will accept it and keep moving forward. This is when you will begin to grow.
Facing challenging situations also helps you to build confidence. The truth is that after you have faced difficult situations, your confidence will be built. This is because when you face an obstacle and overcome, you are reminding yourself of your ability. And this will build your confidence. The challenges that you face today and overcome will become a source of motivation and inspiration for you tomorrow. Every victory you have over a discomforting situation will strengthen your belief in yourself and in your ability. You will reassure yourself that "if you did it before, then nothing stops you from doing it again."
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To maximise opportunities, you need courage. Based on reports available and other information, we were made to understand that Neil Armstrong achieved a milestone feat when he became the first human to step foot on moon. But if you know the kind of risk he had to take to achieve this, you will agree with me that it was not an ordinary feat. Before his own crew, which was the Apollo 11, was launched into space, there was an early mission that was suppose to be launched; the Apollo 1. However, a tragedy occurred during the ground testing, which set everything on fire and even killed the 3 crew members. But this did not stop the Apollo 11 crew from taking a step. It was a big risk for them but they had to take it, and it brought them to limelight. The courage to take risks is what delivers unimaginable success. The risk may not be comfortable, but it will be needed.
Becoming comfortable with discomfort should be like your daily lifestyle. At this point, learning and improvement will be part of your daily life. This is when you will stop avoiding difficulties and start facing them with courage. This mindset is what leads to growth, adaptation, and makes you a better version of yourself. If you must achieve extraordinary things, then you have to be ready and willing, to face uncertainties, welcome challenges, and keep taking steps irrespective of the discomfort you are facing. Always remind yourself that what you face today is part of what will make you tomorrow.
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