Left Foot. Right Foot.
“Sometimes discomfort is just what the doctor ordered.”
Many years ago, my friend and I were regulars at our gym’s Tuesday morning indoor spin class. We loved the teacher, Jon, and what we loved most about him was how he would lead us through the difficult portions of class.
Some spin instructors like to yell when things get tough. Some like to give an uplifting pep talk. Not Jon.
When the ride got tough, Jon would simply chant “Left - Right - Left - Right. Right - Left - Right - Left” into his headset. And in that moment, no matter how grueling the workout felt, continuing on became simple.
If it’s burning, is it working?
Discomfort is a natural byproduct of being a human on this earth. And yet, it is easy to get caught off guard by just how difficult discomfort can feel.
Sometimes things are just uncomfortable.
Climbing a long, steep hill in spin class is uncomfortable. Having difficult conversations with disruptive team members is uncomfortable. Starting and building a new business is uncomfortable. Creating new habits where you have well worn ones already established is uncomfortable.
No matter how smart, accomplished, or talented you are, discomfort is still uncomfortable. No matter how you slice it, discomfort feels a bit… bad. And it’s in those bad feelings where it’s easy to get lost in the search for their meaning.
You start to wonder if the discomfort is a sign of something greater. Maybe it’s a sign that you have personally failed. Maybe it’s a clue that you are just not cut out for ‘it’ - whatever ‘it’ is.
So you go down the infinite thought-filled rabbit holes and emotional spirals, trying to solve the bad feeling, and somehow you’re left feeling worse.
Left - Right - Left - Right. Right - Left - Right - Left.
You’ve gotten off track. It’s time to come back.
When discomfort disorients, clarity is curative.
In my work - whether I’m sitting with a corporate executive or entrepreneur - confusion is often the convenient cover for a well of hidden discomfort.
And when the time comes for us to create a solution for whatever situation they’re in, the answer lies in clarity, not comfort.
What is the thing that you know needs to happen that you’re scared of moving forward on?
What is action that is in integrity for you, even if it means someone might not like it?
What is the request that you’re scared to make because it might get ignored or shot down?
Questions like these can feel wildly uncomfortable to confront. They’re also immensely clarifying.
And from the point of clarity, a way forward always emerges.