Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Summary

The content discusses the importance and benefits of stepping out of one's comfort zone to achieve personal growth, using the author's personal experience as an example.

Abstract

The author of the Ma(n)ximize newsletter recounts a day when, despite a setback (a relapse into a bad habit), he pushed through discomfort to approach a woman at the gym, take a cold shower, and meditate, ultimately overcoming the regret of his earlier mistake. He emphasizes that short-term discomfort leads to long-term comfort and success, as overcoming initial resistance in activities like working out, meditating, and public speaking can lead to significant personal development. The author encourages readers to make a list of uncomfortable tasks, start with the easiest, and gradually tackle more challenging ones, suggesting that this practice will expand their comfort zone and lead to a more fulfilling life.

Opinions

The author believes that the discomfort associated with new, challenging activities is a barrier that, once overcome, leads to significant personal benefits.
He suggests that the act of facing discomfort is a common denominator for all beneficial activities, such as exercise, meditation, reading, writing, public speaking, and cold approaching.
The author posits that persevering through the initial discomfort of a task can propel a person into the top

January 28th edition of the Ma(n)ximize newsletter

On some random impulse, I start the day with a relapse — having broken a long streak, my mood goes to the dogs.

I think of ditching my workout but head to the gym, anyway. As I finish my workout, a hot chick walks in. “Should I approach her?”, I hesitate.

Thanks to the confidence blow of my relapse and the past few unsocial weeks, I feel the same trepidation I had before my first ever cold approach.

“Fuck it!”, I say and go for it — despite seeming standoffish from a distance, she turns out rather amicable.

Back home, a cold shower seems out of the question. But 15 seconds in, I turn the knob to cold.

I procrastinate on my meditation, but once I get into it, I don’t feel like stopping. 20 minutes fly by. Now, as I’m writing this, I don’t even feel the regret of the relapse.

It’s almost as if it didn’t even happen — and this will make it supremely easy to stay on track.

Short-Term Discomfort = Long-Term Comfort

Had I skipped my workout, things would have panned out differently — I’d have probably busted out another nut, skipped my shower, hogged some junk, and wallowed in regret.

This is true at a life level — overcoming that single moment, hour, day, or week of discomfort will yield insane dividends.

Anything and everything beneficial is uncomfortable at first — working out, meditating, reading, writing, public speaking, cold approaching. You name it.

It’s this initial resistance that 99% of people find hard to overcome. But if you can persevere in that initial patch, you’ll zoom into the top 1%.

No wishful thinking. No pseudo-motivation. Just pure facts. Don’t take my word for it, try for yourself.

Jot down the things you (or would) find uncomfortable.

Sort them in ascending order from “Slight discomfort” to “Outright paralyzing”.

Pick the first one and try it — forget about the rest for now.

You will feel amazing and you’ll try the next one — and so on, work your way up the list.

Through this arduous albeit incredibly rewarding journey, you’ll see your comfort zone expand — and feel your nerves thrumming with excitement instead of nervousness.

Everything you want is on the other side of fear and discomfort — you only have to reach out once, then they’re yours forever.

NEWSLETTER

Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

January 28th edition of the Ma(n)ximize newsletter

Short-Term Discomfort = Long-Term Comfort

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