Wisdom-Trek / Creating a Legacy

Welcome to Day 328 of our Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.

This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom

Learning to be Comfortable with Discomfort #2

Thank you for joining us for our 7 days a week, 7 minutes of wisdom podcast. This is Day 328 of our trek. Yesterday and today, we are hiking on a difficult trail that is precarious to navigate as we learn how to be comfortable with discomfort.

Thank you so much for coming along with me daily as we add to our wisdom. Discomfort is a part of our lives on a daily basis. We are faced with decisions or circumstances that we would prefer not to deal with. Ignoring those times is not a real solution, so we need to acknowledge that it is part of life and make the conscious choice to being prepared. Learning how to be comfortable with the inevitable discomforts of life will help us to gain wisdom, insight, and understanding in our lives.

Every day presents us a new opportunity to learn, to laugh, to love, and to make an impact in the lives of others that will last for eternity. While some of our daily treks are a multi-part series, you can join us at any time and start along with us from that point on. If you would like to listen to any of the past episodes, please go to Wisdom-Trek.com to listen to them and read the daily journal. You can also subscribe to Wisdom-Trek on iTunes, Spreaker, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and Google Play so each day’s trek will be downloaded to you automatically.

We are broadcasting from our studio at The Big House in Marietta, Ohio. It has been a steady week of work for us, as we are staying focused on the most crucial task while realizing that what we can’t complete today, if it is important, it will still be here tomorrow. This may bring us some discomfort, which is why we are continuing on our trail today as we explore…

Learning to be Comfortable with Discomfort #2

Yesterday we focused on how many times we try to avoid discomfort. We came to the conclusion that if you avoid it long-term, the discomfort will be even greater. You may also miss the opportunity of making an impact on the lives of others. So, today let us move on and explore mastering discomfort.

· Mastering Discomfort

The way to master discomfort is to do it comfortably. That might sound contradictory, but it’s not. If you are afraid of discomfort, and you try to beat discomfort with a really grueling activity, you will probably give up and fail and go back to your comfort zone.

Here are five ways to slowly become comfortable with discomfort.

1. Pick something that’s not hard.

Take a time for daily prayer and meditation as an example. It’s not really that hard. You will need to set the time aside where you are not interrupted. Relax and allow this to be a time of reflection. Try to be conscious of your thoughts and don’t allow them to wander. This may bring some discomfort initially, but give it time.

2. Just do a little.

You don’t have to start by doing 30 minutes of something you’re not used to doing. Just do a few minutes. Just start.

3. Push out of your comfort zone, a little.

Let’s use the example of exercising. If you are not used to walking, start with walking around one block each day for a week. The next week, walk around one block and additional 100 yards. Each week, push yourself just a little bit more than you are comfortable with. Soon you will become comfortable with the discomfort. Push yourself a little bit more each week.

4. Watch for discomfort.

Watch yourself as you get a bit uncomfortable — are you starting to complain – even if it just to yourself. Are you looking for ways to avoid it? Are you coming up with excuses? That is when you need to push yourself just a little bit more.

5. Smile.

This is not trivial advice. If you can smile while being uncomfortable, you can learn to be happy with discomfort. It may take a little practice, but your attitude will change when you have a smile on your face. Repeat this practice daily. It will be strange at first, perhaps even difficult, but soon your comfort zone will expand. If you practice smiling while in discomfort and with different activities, your comfort zone will expand to include discomfort. Little by little, become the person that you are destined to be with your God-given talents and abilities.

Let me ask you this question, “Are you the master of your discomfort, or is it the master of you?” Once you learn to master your discomfort, here are 10 areas that you can learn to be comfortable with discomfort.

1. Procrastination. We procrastinate to avoid something that’s not comfortable, but if you can learn to stay on that task, even if it’s not comfortable, then you can master procrastination.
2. Exercise. We avoid exercise because it’s not comfortable. We need to expand the comfort zone a little at a time. As an example, add one or two sit-ups, push-ups, or leg lifts to your total each week. We can make exercise something we’re comfortable with after a little repetition.
3. Writing. If you want to write but always seem to put it off, that’s because writing is often difficult or less comfortable than checking email or social networks. Start with writing one paragraph a day, then expand on it as you gain more comfort. Stay with the discomfort, and you’ll soon be writing volumes.
4. Healthy eating. It’s amazing how much our taste buds can change over time as we gradually get used to healthier foods. That means going through small periods of discomfort, but it’s not that bad in little doses. Push yourself to eat wholesome foods. Your body, mind, and soul will thank you.
5. Prayer and meditation. We avoid the discomfort of setting time aside to reflect and pray. Start with 5 minutes a day and gradually add to it as you become more comfortable. It’s not that hard — just a little uncomfortable.
6. Waking early. Waking early means being a little tired for a little while, but that’s not a horrible thing. Learn to get to bed a little earlier and waking earlier will become more comfortable. (Early is what you make it.)
7. Learning something new. Want to learn something new? That means doing something you’re not used to, which can bring discomfort. Focus on the beneficial results of learning something new and push through your comfort zone.
8. Reading good books. We tend to avoid simply sitting with a book because we are pulled towards something more comfortable like watching TV or browsing the internet. Books allow you to learn something new or go places in your mind that is uniquely your adventure.
9. Debt. Most people do not deal with their debt issues because it brings discomfort. Not dealing with debt only prolongs that pain. Start by listing out your debts and bills, making a simple budget and sticking to it, no matter the discomfort on the short term. There are few things in life that are as comfortable and liberating as having no debt.
10. New adventures. When you stay within the walls of your comfort zone, you are missing out on new experiences that might be a little uncomfortable at first but can be so beneficial. Discomfort can be the joyful key that opens up everything for you.

The primary reason that most people will not push past their discomfort is because of fear. Fear can cripple us. Within the Bible, there are over 350 instances where we are encouraged not to be afraid. One of those verses is Isaiah 41:10 where God tells us, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

With that recap, let’s learn the lessons from our hike today to be comfortable with our discomfort. Tomorrow we will explore a new trail as we learn what personal responsibility means. So, encourage your friends and family to join us, and then come along tomorrow for another day of our Wisdom-Trek, Creating a Legacy.

That will finish our trek for today. As you enjoy your daily dose of wisdom, we ask you to help us grow Wisdom-Trek by sharing with your family and friends through email, Facebook, Twitter, or in person so they can come along with us each day.

Thank you for allowing me to be your guide, mentor, and most of all your friend as I serve you through the Wisdom-Trek podcast and journal each day.

As we take this trek together, let us always:

1. Live Abundantly (Fully)
2. Love Unconditionally
3. Listen Intentionally
4. Learn Continuously
5. Lend to others Generously
6. Lead with Integrity
7. Leave a Living Legacy Each Day

This is Guthrie Chamberlain reminding you to Keep Moving Forward, Enjoy Your Journey, and Create a Great Day Every Day! See you tomorrow!