Committing to Discomfort to Achieve Growth

I’ve recently found myself with a blank slate that is equally invigorating and terrifying. We are moving on to a new chapter of MergeLane, and I’m living in a new place without the strong roots I’m accustomed to. I’ve chosen to make these changes, and I am confident that I am on the right path, but change is hard. In the moments when I’m feeling unsettled or lonely, my instinct is to hop on a plane back to Colorado, the place I called home for 22 years.

However, I know that discomfort and adversity fuel creativity and growth. Some of my biggest accomplishments and happiest moments have stemmed from a feeling of discomfort similar to what I am feeling now. I am confident that I am supposed to be on the more difficult path and that there is something for me to learn on this journey, yet I am having a hard time settling into discomfort. While I have chosen to take the more challenging path many times before, I have grown more accustomed to staying in my comfort zone, and I have more resources and opportunities to move away from discomfort than ever before.

So…….I am going to publicly commit to staying out of my comfort zone for at least six weeks. I’m hoping this will keep me accountable. Stay tuned for my learnings.

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I would also love to hear from YOU.

Are you stuck in your comfort zone? This is an especially interesting question to pose to our MergeLane portfolio companies. We’ve invested in 54 startups, most of which have now moved past the chaotic early stage. I imagine some of our CEOs have grown more accustomed to business as usual. To our MergeLane companies and anyone else reading this: What growth could you achieve by committing to discomfort for at least six weeks?

I am eager to hear your thoughts.