We deny ourselves a lot to stay comfortable. This is not about not having that piece of pie to stay in shape. Not having pie is still lingering in a comfort zone. It is about you deciding not to run a marathon (or a 10k) because it is too daunting, or it is about your not applying for a job because you think you are not good enough. It is about denying big things because you fear the discomfort of change.
Constraining yourself
One of the leaders I worked with gave me this small nugget of wisdom:
Don’t constrain yourself, there are enough people out here that can do this for you
For me, life is pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and trying new things. That is where fun and excitement start. When we deny ourselves the opportunity to do these things, we tell ourselves that we are incapable of growth or change.
Denial is a way of avoiding the discomfort that comes with change. It is a way of protecting ourselves from the unknown and the uncertain. But in the long run, this strategy is ultimately self-defeating. We are limiting our potential and holding ourselves back from reaching our full potential by denying ourselves the chance to grow and evolve.
Tolerate discomfort
The capacity to tolerate minor discomfort is a superpower. It’s shocking to realise how readily we set aside even our greatest ambitions in life, merely to avoid easily tolerable levels of unpleasantness.
Oliver Burkeman
There is always a certain amount of discomfort that comes with change, but it is essential to recognize that this discomfort is temporary. It is a necessary part of the process of growth and self-improvement. By pushing through this discomfort and embracing change, we can break free from the constraints of our comfort zone and unlock our full potential.
