Comfortable With The Uncomfortable

The title of this blog is the mantra, if you will, of the CrossFit Box I have joined and I’m not sure you will find any truer words to live by.

In the gym it relates to pushing yourself past your cozy little womb of YMCA consistency. Doing things your body isn’t accustomed to doing. Lifting weights your body isn’t accustomed to lifting. Exercising in an environment sans Nautilus, Treadmills, Air Condition and Smoothie Bars with complimentary processed food.

It's hearing these words from a fellow CrossFitter...

“It’s pushing out the final 200 meters in a 5K row when you never thought you could & not giving a shit if someone sees you cry...Or being so thankful for the person standing next to you helping you push, because if it weren't for them it might have taken much longer to cross the finish line...”

Outside The Box it could mean many things for many different people.

• The shy college student who for the first time since their 2nd grade school recital has to make a speech in front of hundreds.
• The new employee who must present the quarterly report to the Board of Directors…on Day 1.
• The first time you are all by yourself in your college dorm and know no one.
• The first time you realize you should be calling adults by their first names and not using Mr. and Mrs. (Top 10 Most Stressful Moment In Life)
• The first time you have to ask a girl to the prom. (Top 5 Most Stressful Moment In Life)

Everyone has had at least 1 (for me about 8,453) moment in their life when they find themselves emotionally uncomfortable. Paralyzed by the fear of rejection or failure. Some turn and walk away, giving in to the seemingly impenetrable detour.

Others forge on. Others keep going despite knowing failure is, in fact, a legitimate option.

Or is it?

What is failure after all? Is it not completing the task at hand or is it not giving a 100% concerted effort to complete the task?

It’s the latter. That’s failure. I, for one, tend to think its both. But that’s the unrealistic-uber-competitive-guy speaking. In reality you may never accomplish everything you set out to do. But you’ll have a much better chance if you go 100% and not 60%.

Once you learn to be Comfortable In The Uncomfortable you’ll find the next detour in life isn’t as intimidating as it once seemed.

You’ll face it head on...and you’ll be a better person for it.