Anyone who has grown spiritually, mentally or physically knows that growth is not found in comfort.
My yoga teacher, Diane, said this when we were in pyramid pose the other day and it exploded as a concept in my mind. I had heard this before, but it hit me deeply during this class in a whole new way. I laughed to myself when I thought about discomfort in my own life.
About 10 years ago when I was starting my first company in Colorado, I was very uncomfortable. I was having issues with my business partner and some of my employees. I called my very good friend to whine and cry about how uncomfortable I was. I will never forget what she said to me. "This is why I don't do all this crazy stuff you do-like opening businesses, Brooke. You always end up in these situations where you are struggling. I choose not to put myself through that." When she said this to me, I literally felt jealous of her. I thought of her at home not having to deal with the mess of issues I was currently facing. I questioned my own judgment and my own complicated life.
Unfortunately, at this time, I did not have the coaching tools I have today. I was suffering and in tremendous discomfort. But now, as I look back on that painful time and many many painful times since then, I can only high five myself for putting myself in those uncomfortable situations. I am so proud that I put myself out there in the ways that I did and failed miserably, sucked terribly, and made countless mistakes with people and with business. I am no longer jealous of my friend at home in comfort. I see how far I have come, not in spite of the discomfort, but because of it.
As I get older, I notice that those opportunities for discomfort don't just come along as often. I don't have to try new things or start new schools or be the new employee anymore. I am established in my career and good at what I do and very comfortable in my family and community life. I can see how it might be tempting for me to stay in the comfort and not "do all the crazy" stuff anymore. But I know, especially now looking back, how I am a much better, deeper, complete Brooke Castillo because I did. I want to look back 10 years from now and feel the same way.
I want to grow as much in the next 10 as I did in the last 10. In order to do that, I will seek out things that I want and that also make me uncomfortable. For example, I am always uncomfortable for at least 3 poses on my yoga mat, I am uncomfortable learning how to ski the water ski buoys faster, I am uncomfortable making new friends when I have so many "comfortable" friends already. But I will continue. I will grow. I am not done growing. Are you?
