Make Yourself
Uncomfortable Once a Day
Even though I am a grown-up and all that, I still like to
have long talks with my Dad about life. We were talking Wednesday morning about
what it takes to have a good life. He told me that he makes himself uncomfortable
at least once a day.
It’s funny how you can be so similar to someone in very
powerful ways and not know it. I explained to my Dad that I do the same thing-
and I think that makes all of the difference.
I have come to realize that what has allowed me to achieve
my goals occurs in a moment. There is a moment- a critical moment- when you
decide…
When I am working on something- a book, a run, a yoga
posture- a moment occurs when I think, “I
am done. This is hard.” It is in that moment that I tell myself, “Catherine, this is the moment when most people
quit. This is the moment that separates the people who get things done from
those who don’t. Truth- this is the moment that will define you as the
Catherine who achieves her goals or the Catherine that wishes she had.”
I often pause here and breathe. I honor the moment for what
it is- life changing.
Then, I make myself uncomfortable. When running, I go the
extra mile. In yoga, I breathe five more breaths. When writing-- I persist- maybe
for an hour, maybe for two.
In a week of these moments, I have anywhere from 7 to 14
hours. In a year, that is 364 to 728 hours--or what math tells me is 15 to 30,
24-hour days. Do you get that? In a year- I have given myself 2 weeks to a full
month dedicated solely to my dreams.
Trust me. I take breaks and enjoy life. I eat pizza, watch
movies, and kick my feet up. Yes. I do that. However, I do that after I
persist. It is then- that the breaks are all the sweeter. They are not clouded
by unlived dreams or lost goals. They are clear spaces of rest and restoration.
They feel good- full and wholesome.
What could happen for you, if just once a day, you made
yourself uncomfortable? What would you do with the minutes, breaths, or hour?
Try it. Do it.
Your dreams are worth it.
And do not worry, I promise the TV shows you are not
watching are recorded by someone, somewhere. And they will be all the sweeter
after you persist.
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