When we conduct our Slight Edge Advantage (SEA) calls, we ask clients to focus on family, fun, faith, fitness, and finance. During a recent call, a client added a different “F”—future. He was in the process of and looking forward to relocating. Before he did so, he turned the focus back on family and made sure to spend time and be present with them prior to the move as he’d lose the convenience of proximity with them. That was a little uncomfortable.
He also had future focus regarding having new career opportunities and put the pieces in place to establish relationships with new colleagues. Admittedly, they were helping with the transition and easing nervousness—the discomfort—that typically comes with it.
It was bittersweet and difficult to say goodbye, and at the same time, he focused on his gratitude for the love family and friends showed in bidding him farewell. In looking over the entire process, he relied on his planner to help turn this massive, sometimes uncomfortable transition into bite-size, workable pieces. It allowed him to break the process into days and weeks to avoid adding a sense of overwhelm that can be paralyzing.
There were challenges in having difficult conversations with both employer and family regarding the why behind his move. With the challenges, he focused on “accepting” rather than being comfortable. New opportunity brings excitement, but it also brings anxiety—“Am I making the right decision?”
Uncertainly or discomfort can actually bring a sense that you’re moving in the right direction. Great opportunities often force you to walk away from normalcy. And there’s plenty of comfort in normalcy. When you can follow a plan and create design, it has huge potential to be the best decision, regardless how uncomfortable you may feel taking a step forward. If you lapse and revert to default—comfort—that may not be the case. Default keeps you exactly where you are.
Comfort keeps you safe and sound, but it keeps you stuck in a cocoon without progress. When we’re in our comfort zone, that’s usually where our focus and priorities go because, let’s face it: it’s comfortable! But staying focused on comfort never yields the results you probably want.
Growth happens from a state of being uncomfortable, and that includes a focus on fitness as well. At Getting Results, we often talk about and challenge ourselves to “do hard stuff.” Doing hard stuff physically is actually more for your mind than your body. Yes, it toughens you physically, but it toughens you up mentally as well. When you accomplish something difficult, you’ve proven to yourself that you can do it. The discomfort of doing hard stuff enables you to grow—both mentally and physically.
Ask yourself, “Am I too comfortable?” If the answer is yes, it’s time to start pushing your boundaries. It’s time to envision and design more. It’s time to get uncomfortable
Be wonderful!
Coach Ken
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