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Shy woman
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The thought of change can make your palms sweat, your knees weak and your stomach turn. Personal growth expert Mike Robbins explains why being uncomfortable isn't necessarily a bad thing when it comes to facing your fears.

How comfortable are you with being uncomfortable? I know this may seem like a paradoxical question, but it's not. In fact, my wife, Michelle, and I recently attended a workshop that emphasized the importance of being uncomfortable in order to expand our growth, success and fulfillment.

I've been taking some real inventory of my own life and looking at how willing (or unwilling) I am to be uncomfortable myself. I notice that in certain areas of my life I'm quite willing to be uncomfortable, but not so much in others.


Your ego is highly trained at keeping you "safe" and making sure you avoid any and all "risks." However, it's difficult (if not impossible) for you to take your life, your work and your relationships to where you truly want them to be if you're not willing to be uncomfortable in the process.

Being uncomfortable doesn't necessarily mean things have to be overly painful, dramatic or challenging (although sometimes they will be). When you're uncomfortable, it's usually because you're doing or saying something new, you have something important at stake or you're taking an essential risk. These are all beautiful and critical aspects of life and growth. Think of the most important areas of your life, your work and your relationships—I bet there were, and still are, elements of these important things that are uncomfortable for you.

3 ways to make yourself more willing to be uncomfortable

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Published on July 08, 2010