Achieving Goals: Navigating the Uncomfortable Stages by Sharon Teitelbaum

Achieving Goals: Navigating the Uncomfortable Stages by Sharon Teitelbaum


Getting there is uncomfortable but being there is not.

My favorite spinning instructor frequently reminds us at one point in the workout, "This next drill is going to get uncomfortable for you. So think about how good it's going to feel when you've gotten through the discomfort." She's always right.

She doesn't mean it will feel good when the workout is over (though it certainly will). She means once the heart rate is raised to the higher workout level, it will feel good. The transition is hard.

It always surprises me -- there comes a point when I've made the transition, my heart is up at the high end of my workout zone, and I am loving it. GETTING THERE is uncomfortable. BEING THERE is not.

I had the chance to apply this in a different context recently. My husband and I went out for a walk. About 20 minutes into our walk, I felt tired and wanted to turn back, and my husband really wanted to go all the way into Cambridge (a total of about 3 miles). There was nothing pressing I had to get back to, so I decided to apply the spinning rule to walking and keep walking through the discomfort. Sure enough, a few minutes later I was completely beyond the discomfort zone. And I very much enjoyed the rest of the walk, the time in Cambridge, and so forth.

Given how long it seems to be taking me to learn this lesson about hanging in through the discomfort, I figure I will be learning this one for the rest of my life. I need to hear it every week: "You're going to get uncomfortable, but it's going to feel great on the other side." Oh yeah.

How about you? Where in your life do you stop when it gets uncomfortable when in fact if you pressed on a little longer you would be glad you did? Of course there are some situations where the discomfort should be interpreted as a cue to turn around and head for home. If you're alone at night in a dark alley and you hear footsteps coming up behind you . . . that's a whole other thing.

Our discomfort requires scrutiny: we need to assess before deciding whether to bolt or whether to hang in. This month, witness (without judging) where and when you get uncomfortable. Notice how you respond to the discomfort. In which situations do you hang in and in which do you turn back? Do these decisions serve you? Where they do, acknowledge yourself for navigating well in your own interest. And where they do not, what other choice might you consider?

If you could use some help in any aspect of the discomfort dynamic, consider doing a short burst of coaching work. Contact me to set up an initial consultation.

Copyright 2007 Sharon Teitelbaum. All rights reserved.


About the Author
Sharon Teitelbaum, author of "Getting Unstuck Without Coming Unglued: Restoring Work-Life Balance," Master Certified Coach, helps high achievers re-claim their work-life balance. Her interactive coaching process provides a powerful catalyst towards greater career and life satisfaction. Visit Sharon's website at http://www.reclaimyourworklifebalance.com and subscribe to her e-course "The 5 Keys to Reclaiming Your Work-Life Balance".