In his book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind, T. Harv Eker talks about the value of living with distress and discomfort, and using it positively: “The first time you tried something new, was it comfortable or uncomfortable?” he writes.

“Usually uncomfortable. But what happened afterword? The more you did it, the more comfortable it became, right? That’s how it goes.. if you stick with it and continue, you will eventually move through the uncomfort zone and succeed.

“Then you will have a new, expanded comfort zone, which means you will have become a ‘bigger’ person. The only time you are actually growing is when you are uncomfortable.”

> See list of Harv Eker articles on the page: article authors

Being willing to accept and explore discomfort can be part of personal achievement and creative growth.

Therapist and writer Nathaniel Branden has commented, “Innovators and creators are persons who can to a higher degree than average accept the condition of aloneness. They are more willing to follow their own vision, even when it takes them far from the mainland of the human community.

“Unexplored places do not frighten them – or not, at any rate, as much as they frighten those around them. This is one of the secrets of their power. That which we call “genius” has a great deal to do with courage and daring, a great deal to do with nerve.”

> See one of Nathaniel Branden’s programs: 6 Pillars of Self Esteem

Kim Yasuda, co-director of the UC Institute for Research in the Arts, at UC Santa Barbara, thinks “Artists are remarkably adept at taking risks, at negotiating the terrain of uncertainty. Qualities of resourcefulness and fluidity are necessary to remain an innovator in today’s cultural climate.” [93106 news magazine of UCSB, April 4 2005]

Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) said, “One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” [Quoted in the newsletter from Bob Proctor - Life Success Productions]

The quality of our expectations and intention are also significant for success and achievement.

Wayne Dyer advises in his book 10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace, “Refuse to allow yourself to have low expectations about what you’re capable of creating. As Michelangelo suggested, the greater danger is not that your hopes are too high and you fail to reach them; it’s that they’re too low and you do.”

> See more Wayne Dyer books, programs at Nightingale.com

Discomfort, of course, can also be an indicator that something is “off” or potentially harmful in a relationship or other parts of life. But it may also be just part of your experience at the growing edge toward being more and doing more.
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09.02.06 |
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