Embrace Hard Things

Embrace Hard Things

You may have heard the phrase, “Your comfort zone is killing your potential.” An underlying theme to this entire book and to the Incline challenge has been to seek out hard things, to deliberately seek discomfort.

Hard work and deliberate discomfort may not sound appealing at first, but they are both essential ingredients for success in any field. Whether you are a student, an athlete, or a professional, putting in the effort and seeking out discomfort can help you achieve your goals and fulfill your potential.

One of the reasons that I love doing the Incline is because there are no easy days on the Incline. Whether you have never done the Incline, done it once or done it one thousand times, the next time you do it, it will be hard and uncomfortable. As the saying goes, “The only easy day was yesterday!”

Despite the difficulty, I cannot think of a time when upon completion of the Incline that I did not feel good about what I had just accomplished. But also, there was always a sense of achievement and pride. Studies have shown that when we work hard and achieve something, our brains release a chemical called dopamine. This chemical is associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction; and it is often referred to as the "reward chemical.” It is as if we were designed for hard work and achievement!

While it may seem counterintuitive, intentionally putting yourself in uncomfortable situations can help you grow and develop in ways you never thought possible. This can include pushing yourself physically by taking on a challenging workout routine or mentally by speaking in public or taking on a new job that stretches your abilities.

When you deliberately seek out discomfort, you also learn to embrace failure. Failure is an inevitable part of any journey towards success; it is important to view it as a learning opportunity rather than a setback. When you step outside of your comfort zone, you will inevitably face obstacles and setbacks. Viewing setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning can help you become more resilient and better equipped to face future challenges.

Finally, seeking out discomfort can also help you build confidence and resilience. When you push yourself to do things that scare you or make you uncomfortable, you prove to yourself that you are capable of more than you ever thought possible. As result, embracing discomfort can lead to increased confidence and the ability to tackle challenges with a newfound sense of courage and determination.

We were made to work hard and to do hard things. There is such a thing as “good tired.”

When we do not work hard or do not push ourselves outside of our comfort zones, we may feel a sense of stagnation or even boredom. Without a sense of challenge and growth, we can become complacent and uninspired, which, in turn, can lead to a lack of motivation and a sense of dissatisfaction with our lives.

So . . . Always work hard, push yourself, and seek out challenges.

The Bible has much to say about the value and the necessity of working hard.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work.

Proverbs 4:13 All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Galatians 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good,?for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

2 Chronicles 15:7 But you, take courage! Do not let your hands be weak, for your work shall be rewarded.

Check out my book, “Lessons from the Incline” available here:?https://lnkd.in/gwma-ptF