Growth over Comfort | Nerd Fitness

Stephen Wilson Jr. was a scientist working for Mars, Inc. (Yeah, the Sweet firm).

Someday, his boss pulled him into an workplace and mentioned one thing that modified his life:

“Stephen, you’re about to get promoted.”

Usually a trigger for celebration, this was as a substitute meant as a warning by his boss.

In a previous life, Stephen had been a guitarist in a small indie rock band. He additionally spent his evenings writing songs.

His boss knew Stephen was a rattling good songwriter, and the place he actually belonged.

He instructed Stephen in regards to the golden handcuffs:

“You’re in line for a promotion and so they’re grooming you for the following degree.

And also you’re type of at a crossroads.

As a result of in the event you take [the promotion], like I took it 30 years in the past, your desires of being a songwriter, they’re gonna be gone. That is going to devour each little bit of you.

Proper now you possibly can write songs and do that job, however 6 months from now I’m unsure you’re gonna be capable to. So I simply need to offer you a warning.”

That tiny voice in Stephen’s head, that had been there for years and years, began to get louder.

6 weeks later, with that inside voice now at a deafening quantity, he put in his 2 weeks discover, which confused everybody (besides his boss and his spouse).

He began bartending and ready tables to make ends meet whereas honing his craft, attempting to get publishing offers in nation music…whereas getting rejected for not writing ​“bro country” songs​:

He was instructed, “you write REAL songs. We are able to’t do nuthin’ with that…”

Years later, after some modest success writing songs for different musicians, he lastly labored up the braveness and expertise and clout to begin recording his personal songs.

And final yr, he lastly put out his debut album, Son of Dad, which Rolling Stone referred to as the most effective albums of 2023.

Not too long ago, Stephen put out a ​jaw-dropping cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me,”​ which I’ve listened to roughly 10,000 occasions over the previous month.

(Critically, please watch this video. It’ll offer you goosebumps!).

Golden Handcuffs vs Uncomfortable Enlargement

From 2008-2010, I additionally lived a twin life.

I had my day job at Sixthman, serving to promote and produce floating music festivals. However I additionally spent my nights and weekends engaged on a bit web site serving to nerds get match.

My boss April and my mentor Andy (who owned the enterprise) each knew the place my coronary heart was; they inspired me to chase the uncomfortable way forward for attempting to make Nerd Health into my profession.

16 years later, we’re nonetheless going robust!

In Oliver Burkeman’s ​Four Thousand Weeks​, he encourages us to ask a particular query when making choices in life:

“The place in your life or your work are you at present pursuing consolation, when what’s referred to as for is a bit discomfort?”

Asking ourselves “what would make me happiest” will almost definitely lead us in direction of the brief time period, comfy, secure choice.

As a substitute, we ought to be pondering which path will make us GROW as an individual, or which model will trigger us to SHRINK every week. We in all probability, deep down inside, know the reply to the query, if we have now the braveness to ask it.

Burkeman’s recommendation:

“Select uncomfortable enlargement over comfy diminishment every time you possibly can.”

Yep, typically chasing “uncomfortable enlargement” doesn’t end in a songwriting deal, or a profitable enterprise. I’ve chosen the uncomfortable path and typically issues don’t work out. However that’s a part of the method, and at the very least it removes the potential for unhealthy remorse!

Which brings me to as we speak’s mission.

Let’s get comfy with being uncomfortable

Let’s chase uncomfortable growth in 2025.

• Once we power prepare, we drive our muscle groups to get uncomfortable by lifting heavier and heavier weight – they reply by rising and adapting.
• If we use meals as a coping mechanism once we’re unhappy or indignant or bored, addressing our relationship with meals will be uncomfortable.
• When we have now uncomfortable conversations, we will lastly deepen {our relationships} or get up for the issues which can be vital to us.

In 2025, let’s ask the query:

The place in your life are you snugly residing in consolation and security, when deep down you understand the trail of “uncomfortable enlargement” is what you actually need to develop and allow you to get what you really need?

You won’t must stop your job instantly, or go all-in on a brand new objective or change…

However it might be price asking your self that uncomfortable query.

Life is tough, and alter is tougher.

Uncomfortable.

Scary.

Messy.

However in the event you’re prepared to say NO to consolation, it may be precisely what you want.

-Steve

PS: ​We’re doing a free 5-day workshop​ for individuals who need to construct new habits that truly stick in 2025, it begins in just a few days!