Thanks for reading my blog! This is the first in a series based on my book Pursuing Uncomfortable: Lean In and Overcome, which will be out before the end of the year. (Squeal!!!) CLICK HERE to join the waitlist.

This first post in the series, The Power Of Discomfort, dives into the idea of getting out of our comfort zone. I hope you enjoy it! 

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi friend, have you ever faced a moment where you had to choose between what’s easy and what’s hard? It’s tempting to stay in the comfort zone—to choose the path of least resistance—but let’s be honest, growth rarely happens there.

Choosing the hard path can feel counterintuitive. Why would we willingly step into discomfort? But think about it—when have you learned the most in life? Was it when things were easy? Or when you were challenged?

Growth doesn’t happen by accident—it’s often a deliberate choice to step into discomfort. Choosing the hard path may seem counterintuitive in a world that values ease, but it is often the only way to experience real transformation. When we resist the urge to avoid challenges, we allow ourselves to learn, stretch, and become stronger.

Here’s the thing: discomfort is where growth begins. When we step into the hard path, we open ourselves up to learning, resilience, and becoming who we’re meant to be. It’s not about seeking out suffering, but about recognizing that avoiding challenges keeps us stuck.

I want to share a quick story. Articulating my emotions has never come easy for me. For years, I prioritized others’ feelings over my own, convincing myself that silence was safer. Once, in a work setting, I finally decided to speak up about my misgivings regarding a project. I was hesitant and unsure of how my concerns would be received—but guess what? Others were thankful I spoke up.

It turned out, many of us shared the same hesitation, but no one had said anything. By expressing my feelings, the group was able to make meaningful changes to the program. Those tweaks led to better engagement and stronger feedback than we could’ve imagined. If I had remained silent, we would’ve missed out on that success.

But here’s the real takeaway—even if my concerns hadn’t led to changes, the act of speaking up felt transformative. It showed me the power of leaning into discomfort and expressing my feelings. That moment became a building block for me, helping me to articulate my emotions in both professional and personal settings.

That decision wasn’t easy, but it shaped me in ways I couldn’t have imagined. Every time we choose to lean into discomfort, we’re building strength for the journey ahead.

Think about the times when you’ve faced difficulties head-on. Didn’t those moments teach you more than you expected? Choosing the hard path isn’t about seeking out suffering; it’s about understanding that growth and comfort rarely coexist.

So, here’s my challenge for you this week: Identify one area in your life where you’ve been avoiding discomfort. Is it a conversation you need to have? A goal you’ve been putting off? Take a small step toward that hard path, and see what happens. You might be surprised at what you learn about yourself.

If this resonates with you, check out my blog post for more insights and reflections. And don’t forget to grab your copy of Pursuing Uncomfortable: Lean In and Overcome, where I dive deeper into this idea.

Make sure you hit that subscribe button and catch my next video about why we avoid growth and how we can change that. Until next time, remember—discomfort isn’t a sign of failure; it’s a sign of growth.