Thursday, July 13th, 2017
Uncomfortable Things Will Often Make You More Successful
“Enjoy what is and not pine for what is not.” – W.E.B. Du Bois
I enjoyed a recent blog post by Meghan Keaney Anderson of Hubspot Marketing. She talks about the value of doing things that make you uncomfortable. I especially enjoyed her story about sociologist W.E.B. Du Bois writing a letter to his daughter when she was about to move to a new place and school.
“Don’t shrink from new experiences and custom. Take the cold bath bravely. Enter into the spirit of your big bed-room. Enjoy what is and not pine for what is not. Read some good, heavy, serious books just for discipline: Take yourself in hand and master yourself. Make yourself do unpleasant things, so as to gain the upper hand of your soul. Above all remember: your father loves you and believes in you and expects you to be a wonderful woman.”
Anderson offers 15 Uncomfortable Things That Will Make You More Successful. I have listed them below, but be sure to read about each one in the article.
- Learning to take a compliment
- Public speaking
- Working with data
- Waking up early
- Taking critical feedback
- Giving critical feedback
- Fighting through conflict
- Exercising
- Unplugging
- Networking and making small talk
- Admitting a mistake
- Getting in over your head
- Disagreeing with your boss
- Promoting yourself
- Admitting you don’t understand something
- "Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new."
