Embracing Discomfort: The Path to Becoming Your Best Self

We all have aspirations. Dreams of who we want to be, what we want to achieve, and the kind of life we want to live. But the path to these dreams isn't always paved with ease and comfort. In fact, it's often quite the opposite. It's on this challenging journey that a powerful challenge emerges: "Do the thing you don’t want to do, until you can be the person you do want to be."

This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a blueprint for growth. It speaks to the uncomfortable reality that becoming our best selves almost always involves doing things that make us squirm, things that challenge our limits, and things that push us outside of our carefully constructed comfort zones.

Think about anyone you admire for their success, whether it's an athlete, an entrepreneur, an artist, or a leader in any field. Did they wake up one day at the top? Absolutely not. Their journey was undoubtedly marked by countless hours of relentless effort, unwavering dedication, perseverance through setbacks, and the rigorous discipline to keep going when every fiber of their being wanted to quit.

The aspiring musician practices scales until their fingers ache. The budding entrepreneur works late nights, risking failure with every bold decision. The marathon runner pushes through the wall of fatigue, mile after grueling mile. These aren't inherently enjoyable tasks in the moment, but they are the crucible in which success is forged. They are the "things you don't want to do" that ultimately sculpt the "person you do want to be."

It's easy to shy away from discomfort. Our natural inclination is to seek ease and avoid pain. But if we consistently choose comfort over challenge, we stunt our growth. We deny ourselves the very experiences that build resilience, strengthen our character, and unlock our hidden potential.

So, how do we start embracing this discomfort?

• Identify Your "Don't want to do:

What are the tasks, habits, or challenges you've been avoiding? Is it waking up earlier to exercise? Tackling that difficult project at work? Learning a new skill that feels intimidating?

• Understand the "Why":

 Connect these uncomfortable actions to your ultimate goals. When you understand how pushing through this temporary discomfort serves your larger vision, it becomes a powerful motivator.

• Start Small: You don't have to overhaul your entire life overnight. Pick one "don't want to do" and commit to it for a short period. Build momentum and confidence.

• Embrace the Process, Not Just the Outcome: 

The transformation happens in the doing. The discipline, the perseverance, the resilience you build along the way are just as valuable as the final achievement.

Every successful endeavor, every significant personal transformation, is built on a foundation of disciplined action and a willingness to step into the uncomfortable. It's in those moments of pushing past our perceived limits that we truly discover what we're capable of.

So, the next time you face something you "don't want to do," try not to see it as an obstacle, but as an essential stepping stone. Embrace the discomfort, for it is the surest path to becoming the person you truly aspire to be.

©Lisa King, MS, LPC, NCc