Productive Discomfort

“We often feel an underlying trepidation whenever we do something new, something that makes us feel exposed. So next time you feel naked, next time you feel defenseless, know that you’re simply operating from your Discomfort Zone, a place from which you’ll experience growth as long as you’re willing to sit with your vulnerability long enough to grow.” (Joshua Fields Milburn and Ryan Nicodemus http://www.theminimalists.com/zone/)

When I’m exercising, I try to work out a bit past my comfort zone: If 20 push-ups are comfortable, I try to do 25. If running at 6 mph is comfortable, I attempt to run a bit faster for a little while. As I push myself a little each day, I build stamina and strength. Since I’m still completely in control of how far I push myself—I don’t feel vulnerable. If it starts to hurt—I can stop.

I’m not as eager to push myself in other areas where I feel defenseless. You won’t catch me jumping out of airplanes or participating in any other extreme sports. I’ve never tried sky-diving, but I’ve calculated the risk-benefit ratio and decided it’s not for me! However, unless I try new things, how will I know if it is beneficial or not? Maybe jumping out of an airplane would enable me to grow in some way?

From time to time, we are all placed in the crucible of vulnerability. We are melted before we are transformed. Growth is rarely comfortable or pleasant, so we tend to abort the process prematurely. However, if we can stay in the discomfort zone, bear the pain of vulnerability for just a bit longer—sometimes, it can be productive, strengthening, and transformative.