Recently I was watching a high school football game with one of my good friends. We were talking about the commitment, sacrifices and growth of our 16-year-old sons on and off the field.
My friend said to me, “I tell my son the voice in your head wants you to be comfortable. You cannot grow and be comfortable.”
It got me thinking, how many of us resist growth because we want to be comfortable?
Six months ago, I received a phone call from another friend and trusted business leader in our community. She was serving on a board of directors for an organization she cares deeply about. She shared that the organization was experiencing a season of change, discomfort and growth. The previous leader exited the organization and they had not found its replacement after months of searching on their own.
She asked to meet with our team and brainstorm ideas on how to attract the ideal candidate that can ultimately take the organization to the next level. We welcomed the conversation.
During our meeting, we listened to her speak with clarity and conviction about the leadership qualities and experiences she believed were most needed to be successful in this role. Halfway through our conversation, we paused and simply asked, “Why aren’t you applying for this position?”
The expression on her face said it all.
She did not let us entertain this suggestion during our meeting, but afterwards, our conversation spilled into the hallway as she walked out of our building. I reinforced our belief that she should strongly consider submitting her candidacy for consideration.
She acknowledged it would require a big leap of faith, vulnerability and courage. She needed time to pray about it and discuss with her family. A few days later, she informed me of her decision to submit her candidacy and inform her board of directors.
This decision was not taken lightly. Her heart was very much attached to her current organization and team. She also knew the hiring process would be competitive, which would require great humility and getting comfortable being uncomfortable. She also understood there was a chance of not being selected as the hired candidate and how this could potentially affect her relationship with the organization and board of directors.
Last week, I received an unexpected email from her:
I am excited to share that I formally accepted the position!
It is uncomfortable stepping into something new like this.
I would be lying if I said your team did not play a major role in helping me overcome those fears, but also a great opportunity for me to lean on God’s grace.
The reality is we did very little but provide encouragement.
My friend chose courage over comfort.
How many of us resist growth because we want to be comfortable?
This seems to be a recurring theme right now. Some are choosing comfort over growth (while suffering from complacency). Others, through circumstances outside their control, have been thrust into the uncomfortable and forced into growth during a time of uncertainty.
Wherever you find yourself today, as I have been recently reminded, Choose Courage Over Comfort.
