One Big Thought

Episode 8: Stop Being Comfortable

February 06, 2019 Andy George Episode 8
One Big Thought
Episode 8: Stop Being Comfortable
Show Notes

“If we’re growing we’re always going to be out of our comfort zone.” - John Maxwell 

Stop being so comfortable!   

But isn’t comfort the ultimate goal?  

Being comfortable financially, relationally, emotionally, physically, spiritually? 

Our culture pushes comfort.  The attitude of culture that has impacted everyone of us is, “Just do whatever feels good, whenever you want, and with whomever you want.” 

If something gets uncomfortable…we have a tendency to just give up.  Think about that for a moment.  How often have you seen this to be true.  Instead of digging in and pressing through the difficult and uncomfortable situation or conversation, people just simply walk away. 

But where does that really get us?  We will just bounce from one place to another all along the same plane…never growing.  Keeping our potential locked away deep inside of our own fears and doubts. 

Before we discuss how to Grow through Discomfort, let’s first look at a quick list of what causes us to be comfortable.  Comfortable in a way that causes us to get stuck. 

Causes of Comfortability:

  1. Cushy job and pay.  Now, this isn’t a bad thing.  But if we stop pursuing the next level we can find our current status a trap. 
  2. Keep turning to sleeping, eating, and entertainment instead of dealing with growth. When we get stressed or feel pressure, we need to be careful to not reach for the easy and quick fix. 
  3. Feeling as though you have “arrived”.   Add on to that, comparing ourselves to the wrong people.  Listen, it’s always easy to find someone who you think you are better than.  So then we pat ourselves on the back and get stuck. 
  4. Fear of Change and Changing.  We shouldn’t fear failure or change.  What we should fear is being in the same exact place a year from now. 
  5. Self Doubt.  Let me ask you…”who told you that you can’t do ______?”  Don’t let the opinions of someone else define your life & purpose! 
  6. Laziness - I’ll get to it tomorrow 

“We change our behavior when the pain of staying the same becomes greater than the pain of changing.  Consequences give us the pain that motivates us to change.”  - Henry Cloud 

Being Stuck Stinks 

There is pain in Leadership Growth. But it's a pain that is incredible worth it!

“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.” - Napoleon Hill

5 Ways to Grow through Discomfort: 

  1. First answer “Why do I want and need to grow?” 
  2. Identify where you need to grow...what your first step is & do it. 
  3. Try something new - live a little.  Change your mindset from “I Can’t” to “I Can & Will"
  4. Discipline, not Motivation is the goal.  Be disciplined to do the plan.  Getting up early, working out, finishing a project, etc…  Set growth goals and start moving that direction…now!
  5. Push through the Fear: 

“You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage.  Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery.  And I promise you, something great will come of it.” - Benjamin Mee, We Bought a Zoo 

So, what are you waiting for?  The better version of you is just ahead of you.    

If nobody has told you this lately, let me remind you.  You can do this…you’ve got this!