Develop Daily - LIVE From Lisbon ????

I’m writing this newsletter 5,423 miles from home.

Last week, my wife and I left for the longest international trip we’ve ever taken.

We grabbed our two boys (3 and 4 years old) and a handful of bags — then flew from Phoenix, Arizona to Lisbon, Portugal to spend 58 days outside the United States.

We’re calling this trip our “adventure.”

Since arriving, I’ve been reminded of a simple fact.

Brian Tracy puts it best:

You can only grow if you’re willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.

We’re new to living in Portugal. We’re new to the language, the culture, and the surroundings.

?? It’s uncomfortable. And that’s exactly what we wanted.

So, for this week’s Develop Daily newsletter, I’d like to share some thoughts on seeking out challenges as part of the growth process.

Let’s get to it.

Do Something Scary

One of my favorite rules for life comes from Eleanor Roosevelt.

Famously, she said:

Do one thing every day that scares you.

When my wife and I started talking about spending an extended time overseas, the idea was scary. Not in a “something might happen” way. But in the way most modern people feel about big changes.

• This might be uncomfortable.
• This might require us to adapt.
• This might disrupt our routine.

Change is scary because it introduces the unknown. It requires us to flex with new circumstances, shifting from autopilot to problem-solving mode.

As my wife and I talked through the idea of temporarily living overseas with small children — and ultimately decided to take the plunge — it was change that drove us.

We wanted to lean into challenges.

Everyday Challenges

The challenges of living in Lisbon have been small, but constant.

• Appliances work differently (or don’t work at all).
• Services we take for granted at home aren’t available.
• Streets are narrow and cars are aggressive.

With young children, we’ve had to rework nighttime routines — which, if you have kids, you know can be painful. With U.S.-based clients, we’ve had to rework daytime routines — and calculate time zone differences.

We’re also living without a car, which means carrying groceries back from the store and navigating the local bus schedule.

And then there’s the funny stuff:

• I’ve stacked my laptop on a leaning pile of books.
• We’re using towels for window curtains.
• We’ve blocked off a rickety staircase with our luggage.

Despite scouting out Lisbon last year, and planning this “adventure” for months, I still have to admit. . .

There have been more challenges than I expected.

The 2x Benefits of Daily Challenges

Why seek out challenges if they’re uncomfortable?

In my experience, integrating daily challenges into your life offers two game-changing benefits.

#1 - Opportunity

Every opportunity requires stepping outside your comfort zone.

In Lisbon, opportunities have been just as bountiful as challenges. We’ve soaked in time as a family. Our kids have played with children from Italy, Romania, and Spain. We’ve met wonderful locals and expats from all over the world.

And we’ve experienced moments like this:

In the career arena, opportunity comes through challenges too. The Develop Daily system is built on stepping out of your comfort zone a little bit every day to unlock new career opportunities, like promotions, pivots, and connections.

When we avoid challenges, we often avoid life-altering opportunities as well. These missed opportunities hide just out of reach — and sadly, we never see what could have been if we’d just leaped.

Are you taking the plunge?

#2 - Resilience

David Goggins is a retired Navy Seal, ultramarathoner, and bestselling author known for his unique approach to challenges.

Here’s his theme in a nutshell:

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