Have you ever stopped to notice how you handle discomfort or hard moments?
I come from a long line of avoiders who will do everything in their power not to do that uncomfortable thing that will move the needle, have that hard conversation that will re-strengthen that relationship, or invest in a coach, therapist, or financial advisor for support. As a result, it is so incredibly easy for me to steer very clear of anything “hard-for-me,” or I will slowly slog my way through it.
I have a very clear memory of training for a marathon over a decade ago with a good friend, and now Wheat Ridge resident. We were mid hill in Central Park and she SPED up. I was struggling to breath and looked at her in disdain, “what are you doing?” She replied simply, “I hate hills so I’m going faster so it’s over faster.” Kai, my stubborn golden retriever, has this very same trait.
This was and still is such a powerful reframe for me. Now that I know so much more about the inner workings of our subconscious, she had oodles more self-trust than I did. I didn’t trust that I could make it up the hill, she did. I also need to give myself grace because as a highly sensitive, things do feel extra to me.
As a business owner, I am forced everyday to lean into and move through discomfort. If I don’t, I wouldn’t have a business. I remember my first Instagram video, I nearly cried after. It was like nails on a chalkboard to my system. However, I knew it was needed, it was aligned with my why, and I phoned a fellow business owner to be a supportive accountability partner. Guess what? It’s easy for me now, there is no discomfort at all.
My business mentor knows I resonate deeply with animals. Don’t all empaths? I kept seeing symbols of bison a few years ago in the oddest of places. We researched it together, and learned something incredible. When the bison herd senses a storm approaching, they gather together and walk into the storm, not away from it. There is great initial discomfort, but it passes faster.
Now when I’m leaning into my perfectionist avoidance tendencies all he has to do is remind me to be like the bison. I learned from a business owner recently that a fellow CEO shared this is even a part of his corporation’s core values.
It seems to be a law of the universe that on our way to happy is discomfort we’ve been avoiding. Where in your life can you be more like the bison? I’d love to know. [email protected].
