Challenge 1 - Uncomfortable Conversations
In our world, growth is a frequent area of focus, whether it be growing stronger physically, deeper emotionally or more focused mentally. Growth can be achieved in many ways, but there is typically an important barrier to overcome in attaining growth. You must get uncomfortable to grow.
We humans strain our bodies and push through discomfort to build strength, a newly born horse struggles to control its limbs to take its first steps and a simple seed fights its way through the earth to the surface to taste the sun’s light. All things must get uncomfortable to grow!
Given the current uncertainty with the spread of COVID-19 and life with significant restrictions, we are all being forced to face some level of discomfort. Over the coming weeks, I will be presenting some additional challenges for you and your family as a way to grow even further during this time.
My first challenge for you is one of my favorites and it has the power to meaningfully improve relationships. The challenge I offer is the Uncomfortable Conversation Challenge. That’s right, I’m challenging you to have an uncomfortable conversation. Is there a conversation you have been delaying, perhaps for years?
What is stopping you from initiating the conversation? Confrontation can certainly be nerve wracking, but if the uncomfortable conversation is approached with honesty and respect, the conversation will likely be constructive and improve the relationship and the situation.
We often suffer a great deal of stress by delaying difficult conversations. Instead, we should make the conscious decision to push through the discomfort and initiate dialogues. The resulting conversations are usually not nearly as uncomfortable or unenjoyable as we had anticipated. More often than not, the other person has wanted to have the same conversation and is ultimately grateful you initiated it. The results are almost always positive and sometimes life changing!
I challenge you to initiate one uncomfortable conversation today. You can start small by asking your spouse to complete that one chore that just isn’t getting done or talking to a work colleague about a minor issue. Once you have a few successes under your belt, you can move on to addressing the more significant issues in your life.
I often remind people that life is reflected by action, not thought nor worry. So now it’s time to act! Good luck and please comment here to let us know how it goes!
