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Yesterday, I stood at the starting line of a race with a clear goal in mind: to beat my time from last year. The kilometers ahead of me seemed like nothing more than a series of steps I needed to take to reach the finish line. But as the race progressed, I noticed that my legs started to feel heavier. The lactic acid kicked in, and every step became a battle against my own body (and mind). This discomfort forced me to think: is growth really possible without going through this kind of pain?
As a coach, I often see how difficult it is for the people I work with to step out of their comfort zones. The discomfort they feel when facing new challenges can sometimes seem unbearable, and they would prefer to retreat to what is familiar and safe. But what I realized during my run yesterday applies just as much to personal development: to grow, you have to be willing to go through discomfort.
During that race, I felt the lactic acid in my legs like a heavy burden. It was tempting to stop, to fall back to the comfortable pace of a relaxed training run. But I knew that if I wanted to improve, if I wanted to achieve my goal, I had to push through that lactic acid. It wasn't a signal to stop, but rather a sign that I was challenging my body to become stronger.
This also applies to the challenges you encounter in your personal development. When you're working on your self-confidence, assertiveness, or other skills that you find difficult, you'll experience discomfort. It can feel like you're stuck, like the lactic acid is paralyzing you and forcing you to retreat to what is safe and familiar. But just like with running, this discomfort is a sign that you are growing.
Discomfort
Instead of avoiding discomfort, it's important to acknowledge and accept it as part of your growth process. The feeling of lactic acid during a run is temporary, and it ultimately leads to stronger muscles and better endurance. In the same way, the discomfort you feel when facing new challenges is temporary and leads to personal growth.
When you are faced with situations that push you outside your comfort zone, remind yourself of your goal. What do you want to achieve? How do you want to grow? By shifting your focus from the discomfort to the bigger picture, you can better tolerate the discomfort. You learn to see it differently.
Focus
But how do you do all this? It’s crucial to shift your focus from the discomfort to the larger goal you want to achieve. When you concentrate on what you ultimately want to accomplish, you can work through the discomfort because you know it’s bringing you closer to your goal. Think of breaking down your goals into smaller, manageable steps, just as you wouldn't immediately think of the finish line during a long race. Every step you take brings you closer to your ultimate goal and makes the discomfort more bearable.
It’s also essential to be kind to yourself. Recognize that discomfort is a normal part of the growth process and that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. By being gentle with yourself, you give yourself the space to grow at your own pace.
Lastly, remember that you don’t have to do it alone. Just as a good running coach can help you through the tough moments, a coach can support you in embracing the discomfort that comes with personal growth. Sharing your experiences and receiving guidance can make the process significantly easier.
Discomfort isn’t a sign that you should stop, but rather that you’re on the right path. So when you’re confronted with those lactic acid moments in your own life, remind yourself that they are an essential part of your journey. For me, it definitely helped me finish faster than last year.
