We have to be dissatisfied with where we are to grow.

But, let’s be honest growth can be a painful, timely, and terrifying process. Therefore, most don’t seek out challenging situations and circumstances. They rather try their best to avoid challenges and the discomfort that accompanies such at all cost.

However, one can not avoid pain if they wish to grow.

This is an absolute truth.

Despite knowledge of such truth, we avoid pain as much as we can.

In fact, for most, we wait until we are forced to grow.  We wait until the pain is forced upon us by some unforeseeable circumstance or misfortune and then we have no choice.  This is the theme that is addressed in Spencer Johnson’s acclaimed literary work Who Moved my Cheese.

Waiting for life to force growth upon you makes things a whole lot more painful than they should be.

This is largely due to our conditioning.

I know of an individual who has put in years of work for a company. The rewards are small and only slightly incremental relative to the time put in. Yet, the person refuses to reach for another level or just simply move on. Although this individual wants more for themselves, he or she cannot force themselves to step into change.

I surmise the hesitation is due to fear or feelings of false security.

Change and moving into the unknown is scary.

For this person, I believe that the phantom pain of the unknown does not supersede the current feelings of security the individual feels in the current position. Thus, there is no motive to change.

In order to progress and reach beyond the current level that individual must decide that the current payoffs are not worth the invested time. That individual must be dissatisfied enough with what he or she is reaping. The discomfort of staying must outweigh the perceived discomfort of the unknown.

As long as you are content with where you are, no matter how good or bad it may be for you, you will not be persuaded to do what is necessary to grow and change. If you want to take control of your life and the situation you have to reach. You have to move out of your comfort zone willingly and embrace the initial discomfort. You have to choose to be dissatisfied with your current state and know that there is something better on the other side of that temporary pain and bring about that change and growth of your own volition.

Don’t wait for life to force it upon you.

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