Episode 53: Lean Into What Makes You Uncomfortable

How do you make being uncomfortable, comfortable?

It is absolutely normal to avoid discomfort and failure. That's our basic survival instincts kicking in, but there's a level beyond that we can all tap into.

I learned this from watching a documentary of the Navy Seals going through hell week at BUD/S. The candidates are put through mental and physical training that push them to their absolute limit as a human. Most do not pass - but some always do. In watching this, and similar training that other branches of our military go through, I realized that I don't even know my own limits as a person - so I decided to challenge them. I took the mindset that if these young men and women can go through this for a higher calling, I can honor them by doing it in my life too.

I started to identify situations that made me uncomfortable and some that even scared me and then contemplated how I could lean into them to learn something.

An example: I was once asked to be the keynote to an entire middle school on career day. I don't know what middle school was like for you, but it was a very uncomfortable and weird time for me for many reasons. I thought, "I don't want to do that." Then I stopped. I got curious. Why don't I want to do it? (Because of my own experience in middle school, which has nothing to do with these kids) What can I learn from it? (How middle school kids will react to my message) What do I lose if it goes bad? (Maybe momentary embarrassment - not much else) After answering those questions, I called the school and said yes.

As you can imagine, it went fantastic. The kids loved the message and even stopped me in the hall to tell me. Beyond that, I had a new perspective on how I want to impact youth and youth athletes. I also probably heeled some childhood trauma I didn't even know I still had.

I gained all that by taking a few minutes to challenge myself. The more I started doing that, the better I got (Practice makes progress). Today I'm at a point where I get almost excited when I get uncomfortable - because it means I will earn something and gain a new perspective.

Do not be afraid to challenge yourself! Learn how to lean in.

I believe in you, you should too.

Share this episode with someone who you think should hear it, and let others know that you believe in them when deserved. It’s a small thing we can all do to leave this place better than we found it.

I believe in YOU, your friends, your family, your team, and the power of belief in each other, and you should too.

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