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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