We grow through challenge. And life often provides us with plenty of difficulties to face and overcome. But sometimes we must still intentionally do something hard – something that pushes us outside of our current comfort zone.
To be sure, life is fill with many hardships and difficulties. And much sweat equity is required throughout our work and relationships.
At the same time, it’s easy to do what we’ve always done. And often without realizing it we become stuck in the same dance of life.
Cutting a new groove means we must also practice doing hard things.
For instance, we might practice speaking up and engaging when we might otherwise stay quiet and reserved. Or practice remaining quiet and listening deeper when we’re all too quick to speak.
The point is not to change our natural temperament, but to exercise in what’s difficult so we’re not stuck in the limitations of our own making.
This might also include taking risks to initiate a new friendship, reading a book that challenges our thinking, or truly trying to understand a different point of view.
Likewise, we might pick up a new hobby, pursue a new career, or simply push ourselves in what we’re currently doing – setting a new personal best in exercising, for example.
Whatever it looks like, we’re intentionally submitting ourselves to the path of growth by doing something hard.
And while this includes risk, this doesn’t mean we become foolish in our efforts. We push ourselves, but not to the point of doing more damage than good. Wisdom is still needed.
We eventually stagnate and become ineffective when we stop accepting new challenges.
Keep pushing yourself to do something hard. This is the path toward growth and more life.
Photo by Alexander Redl on Unsplash
