By Doug Strickel
Like many of you, I have very mixed emotions as I look back over my life. I have some great memories, and I am so thankful for those experiences. I also have a number of regrets that I wish I could go back and handle differently. Unlike many people, my regrets don’t result from things I did, but rather my regrets are the result of things I didn’t do. I took the time a few years ago to make a list of these regrets. These regrets range as far back as my freshmen year in high school. After reviewing each one of the items, I noticed one common element in this listing. Every one of these regrets was a result of my avoiding a more challenging, uncomfortable path and choosing an easier road.
These choices weren’t good versus bad or legal versus illegal. Rather, these choices were just my choosing a less demanding, less challenging option. While I was hardworking and very committed to being a goal oriented person, I was also prone to avoid uncomfortable situations if given the alternative. I didn’t realize it at the time, but avoiding these uncomfortable, challenging situations limited my growth and the opportunity to reach my potential.
While I wish I could share this message with every young person possible, the message isn’t just for the younger generation. This issue is applicable for all ages, and one that can be addressed at any stage of life. While none of us can go back and change those decisions and choices that may now be regrets, we do get a chance to make better choices today. Furthermore, we can start today on getting comfortable being uncomfortable.
When we are willing to choose the more challenging assignment, have the more difficult conversation, and embrace the uncertainty of the unclear future, we will grow in the process and move closer to reaching our potential in life. We will never reach our potential unless we are tested and go through challenging times. Tough assignments make us better and prepare us for future challenges. Tough conversations change lives. Stepping out into the unclear future builds faith, confidence, and oftentimes leads to results never imagined.
Whatever our age, we all need to become comfortable being uncomfortable and to seek out challenges on a regular basis. I started modeling this concept when I turned 50 a few years ago. I changed my workout plan to start at 5 a.m. each day. Getting up at 5 a.m. and putting myself through a challenging 60-90 minute workout was my personal commitment to remind myself to embrace challenges every day. You see, there is no more benefit from working out at 5 a.m. versus 5 p.m.; however, it is a challenge many mornings for me to get up and do that workout. It just sets the tone for the day.
Forget about that “live your best life concept” that we hear so much about today. Get comfortable being uncomfortable, and live a life focused on others. Embrace a challenge every day and go to bed at night feeling a sense of real fulfillment. Embrace a challenge every day for a month and see your life have real meaning and purpose!
Get comfortable being uncomfortable.
