There’s no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone.

Have you heard this saying before? It has been attributed to many people at different times. And its message is a good one. If you want to grow, you have to be prepared to get uncomfortable.

If everything is going well for you right now, you might not be growing. Perhaps it is time to get a little bit uncomfortable.

We’ll help. Try these three things to nudge yourself into the discomfort zone and see what growth comes from having the courage to be uncomfortable.

Seek out new experiences

Trying something new, taking a risk, making new connections, or putting yourself in a totally new situation isn’t be easy, but it’s worth it.

Fear, uncertainty, and discomfort are your compasses toward growth. If you run, you stand a chance of losing, but if you don’t run, you’ve already lost.

-Barack Obama-

Seeking out new experiences doesn’t have to require you to move to another country or jump out of an airplane (although, by all means, pursue those dreams if that’s your cup of tea!) It can be as simple as reading a book from a new genre, taking a different route home during your daily commute, purchasing a magazine subscription, trying a new food, introducing yourself to a stranger, signing up for a class, watching a documentary.

The world is a bit messy right now, stressful, exhausting. But many of the new experiences you might enjoy don’t have to be big. Thanks to the internet, technology, our local libraries, you can explore the world or try something new from the your couch at home.

Trying something new sometimes makes you uncomfortable enough to seek different solutions or obtain further information. In this way, you continue to grow in wisdom, confidence, courage, and success.

Stop avoiding hard things

It is human nature to avoid the things that are difficult or make you uncomfortable. And it’s not always a bad thing. But it doesn’t result in the growth you are seeking.

If something intimidates you, if it feels too hard to master right now, face it head on. Look for solutions. Do research. Talk to others who have come before you. The more knowledge and understanding and experience you gain, the less uncomfortable the hard task is for you. And therein lies the growth. What once was hard suddenly feels manageable and, eventually, it may even be easy for you.

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work.

-Calvin Coolidge-

When you do something hard that you’ve been avoiding, your confidence grows. This gives you the courage to try harder, newer, ever more challenging things. It’s a cycle of discomfort and growth that leads to greater rewards and improved skills and mental strength.

Don’t give up

Any time you are in pursuit of a goal, you will find hills to climb, twists and turns to navigate, failures to face. At times, the pace will seem slow and you will feel clouded by doubt. But you can’t quit! Success is closer than you think.

I already know what giving up feels like I want to see what happens if I don’t quit. 

-Neila Rey-

Many times, when people find something is difficult or uncomfortable, they do the easy thing and give up right away. This may relieve the pressure in the short term or avoid failure in the moment, but it doesn’t result in growth. And it never results in success.

Certainly, there are times when quitting or giving up is necessary—when something is no longer useful, safe, worthwhile, or worthy of your time.

But by and large, if your goal is still worth pursuing, stick to it. Keep going. Even if you are uncomfortable and discouraged. Take a rest if you need it. Keep learning and keep growing as you move forward. View your failures as a stepping stone to success. Look for the silver linings. Stay focused on your goal. And above all, don’t give up.

Get uncomfortable

If you find yourself uncomfortable, stop and question the feeling. Perhaps this is the moment to push through. This is your chance to seek out a new experience, stop avoiding hard things, and prove to yourself that you can do it. There is growth in the discomfort you are feeling and success is waiting for you ahead. Keep going.Don’t stop believing. Keep being uncomfortable. It will be worth it.

If you need someone to sit with you in your discomfort or to help support you along the path, get ahold of one of our professional life coaches. They can encourage you, inspire you, and support you. They’ve got your back. Check them out here.