Growth, despite its significance, often triggers discomfort. It requires us to challenge our existing beliefs, habits, and comfort zones actively. It demands that we confront our fears, take risks, and navigate through uncertainty. Resilience, perseverance, and courage become essential attributes in this process. The discomfort we experience while growing is a natural indication that we are stretching our boundaries, pushing our limits, and progressing forward.
Our brains have a natural inclination to seek out comfort zones, this is done primarily through the formation of habits. Once we settle into a comfort zone, our instinct is to remain there, at least for a while. However, this tendency can hinder our true potential from coming out. As humans, our capacity for growth is limitless, limited only by our own beliefs. It is often said that we utilize a mere 10% of our brain capacity. Imagine the possibilities if we tapped into just an additional 1%—we could easily become experts in our areas, outperform others and achieve so much.
The discomfort of growth is particularly evident in the business world. Entrepreneurs striving to elevate their businesses to the next level encounter new challenges, such as managing a larger workforce, adapting to different work dynamics and regulatory environments, and relinquishing control over the areas that initially led to their business’s success. These growth spurts are inevitable and come with the territory. It’s never comfortable and at times one feels things were easier when they were less complicated, but hey, it comes with growth.
As a child grows, their lives become more complicated. Small children have little worries, to eat, sleep and play. But as they grow their needs meta morph and their needs become more complex. If you’ve raised a teenager or remember being one, the complexities of dealing with their bursts of emotions – God they have a million emotions, is complex enough. Again, this is part of growth.
I recall a friend of mine who once addressed a team of student engineers. When asked about the best moments in his working career, he described the thrill he experienced while handling large water projects. He found joy in design work, conducting site visits, and engaging with the project team on technical aspects. However, as he advanced into a managerial position, he could no longer immerse himself in those projects. While his career had grown, his ability to engage in the activities he loved had diminished. To keep progressing, he had to learn new skills like people and resources management.
As we ascend the ladder of success, our involvement in “technical” work gradually decreases. The discomfort of this growth is apparent because we can witness its outcomes, either directly or indirectly.
Things however, become more complex when growth necessitates stepping completely out of our comfort zones. Consider a scenario where, in the pursuit of meaning and purpose, you discover an inclination to pursue a completely different career or line of work that diverges from your previous training or experience. I know of a banker who, at the age of 40, decided to study law. He embarked on this journey, completed his law degree, and now happily practices law.
Undoubtedly, making that decision was not easy. He may have had to convince his family and wife that he needed to temporarily forgo earning a living to pursue his dream. Colleagues might have ridiculed him for wanting to make such a drastic change at his age. Moreover, being in a classroom with students who could easily be his own children must have been somewhat uncomfortable. However, his unwavering belief in his cause propelled him to embrace the discomfort and undergo the necessary changes for growth.
Growth is the process through which we evolve, learn, and mature. It is through growth that we acquire new skills, broaden our perspectives, and enhance our understanding of the world and ourselves. Whether it’s personal, professional, emotional, or intellectual growth, each form is crucial for our overall development and well-being.
Often, we impose barriers on ourselves due to societal pressure and expectations, choosing to accept the status quo rather than endure the pains of growth. But what growth should we be focusing on?
Personal growth involves developing self-awareness, improving personal skills, and realizing our potential. It entails extending our limits, acquiring new skills, and aligning with our personal calling.
Professional growth, on the other hand, requires us to acquire new skills and knowledge that enhance our professional competence and lead to career advancement. Should we pursue a master’s degree or obtain specific certifications? Do we need to reinvent ourselves to stay relevant?
Emotional growth is about understanding and managing our emotions better, leading to improved emotional health and stronger relationships. Letting go of thoughts like “that’s just the way I am” and actively striving to manage our emotions become vital steps in this growth process.
Intellectual growth involves expanding our knowledge and cognitive abilities, resulting in a deeper understanding of the world. The pursuit of new knowledge can be a catalyst for change in our lives and can provide us with thought-provoking conversation starters in various situations.
Growth requires us to embrace discomfort actively. By challenging our comfort zones, we unlock our true potential and embark on a journey of self-discovery, improvement, and fulfillment. Let us shed the self-imposed barriers, push our boundaries, and pursue personal, professional, emotional, and intellectual growth to lead a truly transformative life.
It is only through making bold decisions in this life, can we benefit from the abundance it has to offer. So, what growth or change have you been running away from? What are you afraid of? What is preventing you from making the necessary decision? Will you be like the majority that chose to survive and stay comfortable, or shall you be among those that will chose the discomfort of growth and make some bold decisions? Remember, nothing changes when nothing changes. Let’s be bold and take on the discomfort for a greater future. Your future self will thank you.
