You’ve hear it from lifestyle entrepreneurs all the time: you’ve gotta learn to be uncomfortable.
I say it myself, because there’s a lot of truth in it. Change is hard, and there are going to be times where it’s extremely uncomfortable. Quitting your job is uncomfortable, so is paying off debt, the same with moving to a new place, or starting something new that you know nothing about.
However all of that doesn’t have to last, and even when you’re in a transitional phase, you should strive to add certain elements of comfort to your life. If you don’t then oftentimes life can get to unbearable, and you’ll fall back into your traditional comfortable routines.
How I’m Comfortably Uncomfortable
So what the hell am I talking about? Let’s give some examples.
While I was living in Bangkok I had a whole slew of uncomfortable times and things I needed to adjust to. At one point in particular there were protests everywhere, and people were getting killed. So what did I do? I went out and bought a guitar.
I’ve played guitar since I was 10 and it no matter where I am or what I’m doing it’s always been a source of comfort. Even though I got tear gassed in the process of getting it, the rest of my time in Asia was much more comfortable because of it.
When quitting your job or making a major life change, always have something close by that you can fall back on that brings you to a more familiar place. Maybe its an instrument, a game, music, a book, whatever it is, keep it close during your period of insecurity and change.
I always travel with music – always. No matter what mood or emotion I’m feeling there is always a song or artist that will accompany that. It’s interesting to note how over time certain albums or playlists immediately conjure up memories of certain locales.
One of the most important things that keeps me comfortable, when I’m out being uncomfortable is having a home base. I travel for maybe 4 months out of the year but the rest of the time I’m back home in Portland with friends and family. There I’m able to get into a routine (which you should strive to do in any new place), be productive, and relax after jaunting around the world.
Thing to Remember During a Period of Change
Here are a few things to think about during any comfortable period in your life:
- It’s necessary. If everything were easy and familiar, life wouldn’t be any fun and no new innovations would be made. Embrace the unknown and use some of the ideas mentioned above to get you through those times.
- Most people can’t do it. Almost everyone will choose comfort over uncertainty. It’s a sad but true fact about our society. What does that mean for you? Opportunity. Lots and lots of opportunity.
- It will (almost) always pass. I don’t care how uncomfortable you are, whether it’s physical, mental, or emotional, it will pass.
Both being comfortable and uncomfortable are necessary aspects of life. We need the latter to appreciate the former, and if we don’t have either then, life just kind of sucks. Learn to put yourself in the hard situations with the full knowledge that it will make your life richer, and your business stronger.
How to you continue to be comfortable during the uncomfortable periods in your life?
Also, if you haven’t watched the latest from L180 TV, check out the sidebar for the video of my recent ski trip, and feel free to subscribe to my You Tube channel for more video goodness. Image
Credit Dale Gillard
Join The Discussion
Mentally, I comfort myself by realizing that my life isn’t over if I make mistakes. So many people are afraid of screwing up and never being able to recover, but that’s not something that concerns me.
For physical comfort, I just like to enjoy the little things in life around me. Friends, good food (and beer), and sports are always things that I will enjoy and that can’t be taken away from me no matter how bad things get.
Change is liberating. It reminds us that our fears are often times based on faulty assumptions.
“Even though I got tear gassed in the process of getting it,”
Now that’s dedication!
Having a home-base , while traveling several months of the year is what I strive for also.
Sean , how do you manage that? I mean to you houseswap your pad out, own a place outright or just crash with friends/family those other months?
Meditation/walking in the woods for me always brings things back to reality, along with drum circles..but that requires a number of people at once.
And also remembering every mistake is a step closer to success.
One thing~ most people are more motivated to avoid pain, than to seek pleasure.
On a practical note@Jeff~ I knew someone who was gone for six months out of the year and locked all their ‘stuff’ in the basement of their split-level home and had a rental management company lease out the top part of their house while they were away. If your circumstance allows it, and you own a home with such a configuration, that is a good idea.
@Chas – Thanks for the tip. I don’t own a home or really have access to one currently.
Hi Sean,
Just curious if you’ve been able to save money on your journey since self employment? Remind me again what you do for health insurance again?
I just read Adam Bakers income report, and after expenses but before taxes, $20K is kinda tough. What to do?
Sam
Sam,
I’ve actually been able to save quite a bit of money. I’m extra frugal when it comes to what my business and personal expendatures are – unlike Adam who invested in a lot of different aspects of his business this year. Also that said, for most people to profit 20k after all of their expenses in a year I think is pretty good. I don’t think anyone person I know is living this type of lifestyle to become a millionaire. That said, gotta keep growing everything, so it will be interested to see how everyone and myself fare in 2012. Personally, I’ve got a good feeling
-S
Well well !
like your guitar its my lappy which is my best friend, girl friend & love too……..
Humans seem wired that way. We always feel uncomfortable when change is coming. It can be a very scary thing when we have to move from where we are comfortable at to a place we are totally unfamiliar with. You provided a great post on the subject and I think it will help all of us.
Thanks
My comfort drug is being in the nature, particularly in the woods by a lake or running water with my camera. If the running water happens to be falling off a cliff or mountain, so much the better.
I am definitely working on being comfortably uncomfortable this year to regain my Awesomeness.
Rasheed
Most people go through life to scared to live yet to scared to die. Living out their dreams in their minds but never pushing beyond this. The sad reality is that this is not living but merely existing. My inspiration is showing people how to take the impossible and make it possible. Uncertainty is a necessary and powerful success emotion, and when this is realized it can be used to drive a person rather than create a fear based response.
Recently found your site and really glad I have. Great article Sean.