What if Discomfort was a Good Thing?

In my keynote “The Winning EDGE: Mindset Mastery for High-Stakes Success”, D stands for Discomfort. During this presentation I share all the ways that discomfort is misunderstood, is the impetus for needed change, and how it can actually be a valuable tool.

What have we been conditioned to believe about discomfort?

• That it feels awful.

• That it’s a sign of failure.

• That it should be avoided.

I get it - discomfort IS uncomfortable! Like you, I don’t like feeling it! But I’ve learned that moments of discomfort are actually our body and brain trying to tell us something important. 

Discomfort can be a sign that:

1. Something needs to Change.

In this case, something in your life isn’t working - a relationship, a process, a goal that no longer fits you… Here feeling discomfort is a POSITIVE because it notifies you that change is needed. And let’s be honest - when we are comfortable, we don’t change. Why would we? We are comfortable! But being comfortable isn’t always what’s best for us. 

In this scenario, the discomfort of your situation becomes greater than the discomfort of the change needed.

2. You are Growing.

I call this “Adult Growing Pains”. This discomfort happens when you are doing all the right things and are even having results, but it feels SO HARD. This might feel like fear of failure, anxiety, or exhaustion. It is often disappointing - because you thought that by embracing growth you would thrive and life would get better! But that doesn’t seem to be happening. 

Yet. It doesn’t seem to be happening yet. The growth you are experiencing hurts just like growing pains hurt in children. Your life WILL improve and the discomfort will lessen once you get through this growth spurt.

In both cases, as hard as discomfort can feel, it IS a valuable sign. When you ask yourself “What is this discomfort telling me right now?” you can discover important information to help you get to where you want to be.

Does any of the above resonate with you? Let me know what kind of discomfort you have been feeling and how this perspective might change your mindset about it.

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