Human beings are hard-wired to seek pleasure and avoid pain.

But when we avoid discomfort, we miss out on incredible rewards.

If you can increase your ability to tolerate discomfort, you can move out of survival mode and into a place of thriving.

What is on the other side of discomfort?

1. Maintaining your integrity.

   Creating a life informed by your values means that you are going to disappoint some people. This may mean holding a boundary for yourself, or being really clear with what you say “yes” to and what you say “no” to. It can be uncomfortable letting others down. But if you can tolerate that discomfort, you honor the things that matter most to you. And that is integrity.

2. Pursuing your dreams and desires.

   The dreams and desires you have are going to require you to take risks, to move courageously through fear, and to commit fully (which means sacrificing anything you aren’t willing to give 100% to). All this brings discomfort. But if you stay the path and remain laser focused, you will reap the rewards.

3. Growth.

   Whenever you are on a learning curve and leaning into a growth edge, it feels scary at first. Then it feels unnatural for a while. If you keep it up, it begins to be a routine for you. And finally, what was once scary feels natural to you. This is the cycle of growth. Only when you increase your tolerance for discomfort can growth edges become natural to you.

4. Healthy relationships.

   Unhealthy relationships lack boundaries, have disproportionate give and receive amounts, and cause harm. Healthy relationships require that you sit with the discomfort involved in holding boundaries (see #1) and at times that you empathize with someone’s emotion that makes you uncomfortable. By tolerating the discomfort that comes with navigating relationships, you can create healthy relationships at work and in life.

5. Influencing favorable outcomes.

   Whether you’re in a business transaction or negotiation, working toward project completion, or on your summer holiday, at some point, someone will raise an objection or an unforeseen event will materialize that feels tricky. Your ability to tolerate the discomfort and locate the individual’s resistance or navigate the unexpected obstacle, will directly contribute to a more favorable outcome.

How well do you tolerate discomfort?

If you’d like some support leaning into discomfort, we should have a conversation.

Love,

Audrey