In today’s post, I want to share an experience that has been both exciting and daunting for me—being interviewed for a podcast about my work as a coach. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a while, but I knew I needed to curate my work, find my voice in the industry, and build enough self-confidence to put myself out there. When Anne-Claire Delval, a former journalist I admire for her expertise in public speaking and (oral) presentation, invited me to speak, I was thrilled. Then, reality set in.
Embracing Discomfort
As the excitement wore off, the doubts started creeping in. What was I going to talk about? What could I offer? Who was I to speak publicly about life coaching? My brain went into a denigrating, impostor-like spiral. Thankfully, coaching has taught me to recognise these feelings and understand that if it feels uncomfortable, if I’m scared, curious, and excited all at the same time, it means “go for it.”
Of course, the perfectionist in me kicked in. I started drafting ten pages of questions and detailed answers, all meticulously scripted. When I shared these with Anne-Claire, she kindly advised me to be “more spontaneous.” As it happened, this month’s theme in my self-coaching scholars programme is self-confidence. My dare for the day was to make the podcast delivery spontaneous.
The Discomfort of Growth
Reflecting on this experience, I realised that intentionally moving towards discomfort is a key skill life coaches need to seriously hone. This choice of intentional discomfort is powerfully explained in The Life Coach School podcast, episode 222 on “Discomfort on Purpose”.
Two Types of Discomfort: Stagnation versus Growth
Discomfort of Stagnation: This is when fear keeps us from growing and achieving our full potential. We stay stuck, miserable, and without the life we want. We avoid rejection by hiding, but this self-rejection is equally uncomfortable and stops us from pursuing our dreams.
Discomfort of Growth: This is the discomfort we feel when we step out of our comfort zone and move towards our goals. To some extent, discomfort can be seen as “the currency for our dreams”.
Embracing Rejection
We fear rejection and often hide to avoid it. However, hiding & avoidance is preemptively rejecting ourselves, before someone else “really” does it. Learning to face rejection without retreating helps us grow.
The Point of Existence is Growth
Our existence is meant for evolution. Avoiding discomfort keeps us stagnant, whereas embracing it leads to growth and success.
Getting Good at Discomfort
The only way to get good at discomfort is by experiencing it. Pursue rejection, embarrassment, and fear on purpose. The better we get at being uncomfortable, the better we get at everything.
Choosing Your Discomfort
We have a choice between the discomfort of stagnation and the discomfort of growth. The former never changes, but the latter is new, exciting, and leads to evolution.
Your Turn
As you consider these concepts, think about how they might apply to your own life. Are there areas where you’re avoiding discomfort and staying stagnant? What steps can you take to move towards the discomfort of growth?
Remember, whatever discomfort you may be contemplating today, I am with you, and I am rooting for you. Embrace it and use it as a tool for growth and success. Stay tuned, as Anne-Claire’s podcast- where I am interviewed- is coming out this Thursday!
Conclusion
The reason many of us aren’t as far along as we want to be in life is that we avoid discomfort. Yet, the more we choose discomfort, the more successful we’re going to be. Whether it’s the fear of rejection, the desire to avoid negative emotions, or the impulse to stay in our comfort zones, learning to embrace discomfort on purpose is a powerful skill. It’s the currency for our dreams.
So, ask yourself: Do you want the discomfort of stagnation, or do you want the discomfort of growth? Choose wisely and remember that discomfort can be a good thing. As the inspiring business woman Amy Porterfield once coined, I am telling myself now “I am learning to do what it takes to get what I want” .
Stay Tuned: Podcast coming out this Thursday 20/06
I look forward to sharing more about this journey with you.
Feel free to reflect on how these insights resonate with you and share your thoughts. If you’re interested in exploring these concepts further or need support in your journey, let’s hop on a 1st consultation call with me.
Sincerely yours,
Dr. Sophie
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References
Brooke Castillo (Host). (2018, June 28). Ep #222: Discomfort on Purpose [Audio podcast episode]. In The Life Coach School Podcast. The Life Coach School. https://thelifecoachschool.com/podcast/222/
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