Embracing the Chill

How a Growth Mindset Turns Hard Things into Triumphs

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Picture this: It’s a frosty December day in Warsaw. The sky is a grey wool blanket, and the wind feels like it’s been imported directly from Siberia. Who, in their right mind, decides this is the perfect time for a bike trip?

My wife, Ania, hates the cold with the fiery passion usually reserved for people who tell her to “hurry up”. Yet, there she was, bundled up like an adventurous Eskimo, pedaling beside me through icy streets. Why? Because, in our household, we’ve embraced a philosophy that often feels as bracing as the winter wind: liking hard things.

The Growth Mindset in Action

Psychologist Carol Dweck, the queen of the Growth Mindset, would be proud. Dweck’s seminal work teaches us that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, perseverance, and—most importantly—a willingness to face challenges. She writes in Mindset: The New Psychology of Success:

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“The view you adopt for yourself profoundly affects the way you lead your life.”

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By choosing to brave the cold and pedal through discomfort, Ania wasn’t just enduring; she was growing. She was embracing discomfort as a vehicle for self-improvement—and a little bit of marital bonding. (Full disclosure: there was some grumbling at the start, but by the end, she was smiling, which I take as an endorsement of this philosophy. Or maybe it was frostbite. Hard to say.)

Why Like Hard Things?

Life is full of discomfort, whether it’s physical, emotional, or that awkward moment when you realize you’ve forgot the names of your friend’s pets. Liking hard things isn’t about sadism; it’s about building resilience. Ryan Holiday, author of “The Obstacle is the Way”, argues that obstacles aren’t just things to overcome—they are opportunities to become stronger.

Take cold showers, for instance. Our household practice of stepping into near-Arctic tap water every morning is an exercise in mental fortitude. It’s not fun. It’s not glamorous. But it is transformative. Each time you choose discomfort over ease, you’re training your mind to say, “Hey, I’ve got this,” when real challenges arise.

James Clear, in his book “Atomic Habits”, puts it succinctly:

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?“The more you let a single belief dictate your behavior, the more ingrained it becomes.”

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In other words, liking hard things isn’t just a decision; it’s a habit. The more you embrace the cold (literally or figuratively), the easier it becomes to face life’s frosty moments.

The Warm Rewards of the Cold

After our bike trip, Ania and I rewarded ourselves with steaming mugs of coffee and a hearty meal. It wasn’t just the drink that warmed us—it was the sense of accomplishment. Doing hard things doesn’t just make you tougher; it makes you appreciate the simple pleasures more deeply.

The same principle applies to our cold showers. Sure, there’s the initial gasp and the frantic dancing as the icy water hits your skin, but afterward? You feel alive. Energized. It’s like your body is saying, “You survived that—you can survive anything.”

A Call to Embrace the Chill

So, what’s the takeaway? Whether it’s cycling through the cold streets of Warsaw or stepping into a chilly shower, choosing hard things is choosing growth. It’s a reminder that discomfort is temporary, but the rewards of resilience are lasting.

As Carol Dweck says:

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“Becoming is better than being.”

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And so, I invite you to embrace your own hard thing. It might not be a winter bike ride or a cold shower, but it could be learning a new skill, having a tough conversation, or even just resisting the allure of your duvet on a frosty morning.

Because, as Ania proved that December day, even someone who despises the cold can find warmth in the triumph of doing hard things. And who knows? You might even enjoy the ride.