The Power of the Unwanted: JB's Monday Momentum #24
Growth Begins at the Edge of Discomfort
Estimated reading time: four minutes
Welcome to Monday Momentum, the weekly newsletter where I discuss practical wisdom, uncovering insights to enhance our lives one thoughtful moment at a time. While I have confidence in the ideas I write about, I am still learning them. I acknowledge that what works for me may not work for everyone. Take each idea as you see fit and let me know what you think!
Hello friends,
We’re back! Settling into college has been hectic, leaving me with limited time to write. Now that I'm getting used to my schedule, I plan to return to a weekly publishing routine. There might be a chance that Monday Momentum will become biweekly for a while, but my goal is to publish weekly.
Quick announcement before we get started. We are coming right up on 100 subscribers. To celebrate this milestone, I will be hosting a book giveaway. All you have to do to enter is subscribe. The winner will receive a copy of When Breath Becomes Air, Meditations, and A Gentleman in Moscow.
Life often presents us with tasks and challenges that we would rather avoid—things that push us out of our comfort zones and force us to confront discomfort, fear, or simply the unknown. Whether it’s waking up early for a workout, taking on a project that feels overwhelming, or having difficult conversations, we all face situations that we’d prefer to sidestep. But here’s the thing: these uncomfortable moments are not just inconveniences to be endured; they are opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
If you missed the last edition—“Happiness Is Our Default State”—you can click here to check it out.
A Question I am Contemplating:
How can stepping out of our comfort zones lead to personal growth and self-discovery?
Over the last few years, I’ve come to realize that the more we step into discomfort and willingly embrace the tasks we don’t want to do, the more resilient and adaptable we become. It’s not about forcing ourselves into situations just for the sake of it, but rather about recognizing that true growth often lies on the other side of discomfort. The more we train ourselves to tackle these challenges head-on, the easier it becomes to navigate life’s inevitable ups and downs.
When we regularly push ourselves to do things that we don’t want to do, we begin to chip away at the limitations we’ve set for ourselves. Each small victory over discomfort makes the next challenge a little less daunting. It’s like building a muscle—the more you work it, the stronger it gets. Over time, what once seemed impossible or overwhelming becomes manageable, even routine. This ability to step out of our comfort zones and tackle difficult tasks head-on is not just a skill but a mindset. It’s the mindset that we can face whatever comes our way and not just survive, but thrive.
Beyond resilience, there’s another dimension to this practice—one that’s often overlooked. When we do things we don’t want to do, we can uncover hidden strengths, interests, or passions that we never knew existed. These moments of discomfort can be the very experiences that lead us to discover new paths or unlock capabilities we didn’t know we had. In this way, doing the hard things isn’t just about getting through them; it’s about opening doors to parts of ourselves that we might not otherwise explore.
Additionally, learning to grow through suffering is one of the most valuable assets you can cultivate. It’s not just about enduring tough times; it’s about developing a mindset that you can accomplish anything, and not just accomplish it, but once again, do it well. When you adopt this perspective, you begin to see every challenge—every uncomfortable moment—as an opportunity to learn, to adapt, and to strengthen your resolve.
The more we learn to thrive in discomfort, the more we realize that discomfort is not our enemy. It’s a teacher, a guide that shows us what we’re truly capable of. And as we continue to embrace these challenges, we build a life not defined by what’s easy, but by what’s meaningful and fulfilling.
Quote on doing things you don’t want to do:
"Pain unlocks a secret doorway in the mind, one that leads to both peak performance and beautiful silence." — David Goggins
Goal for the Week:
At the end of each day, note down any activities or experiences that felt uncomfortable and reflect on what I learned from them.
I strongly believe in the ideas I’ve shared today, but that doesn’t mean they’re easy to apply. Writing down and reflecting on the challenging things we face each day is an effective way to “chip away at our limitations” and understand the areas of your life you’re growing in. I also think it could be interesting to find connections between different situations and how they influence each other.
Awareness — Anthony de Mello (65% done)
What I’m listening to (one podcast, one artist, one song):
College Football Enquirer: Week 1 Overreaction: Georgia pummels Clemson & is the U back?
Red Hot Chili Peppers
“TCU Fight Song” — TCU Horned Frogs Marching Band
Thanks for reading! Don't forget to subscribe to stay updated for the next edition and feel free to leave a comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Take care,
James
Moving to college and adjusting to my new life has caused me to slow down my reading. I’m getting settled in, so I hope to be back to my regular reading habits soon.
Love reading these. So proud of you
So happy that you're continuing doing these! Hope you enjoy uni!