You can’t be a successful entrepreneur if you’re afraid of being uncomfortable. Strange as that may sound, it’s a reality you’re going to have to face if you want to own and grow a business. Countless entrepreneurs, from Richard Branson to Mark Zuckerberg, have professed the importance of taking chances and pushing yourself past your “comfort zone,” but what does that actually mean?
And how on earth are so many entrepreneurs able to tolerate immense mental discomfort and do things that scare, intimidate or otherwise cause them distress?
The power of discomfort
First, you have to understand why “discomfort,” specifically, is so powerful. It’s not necessarily the discomfort you feel that has any measurable impact on your life; instead, it’s usually a symptom associated with positive entrepreneurial practices. Here are some examples:
- Trying new things. Most people aren’t comfortable trying new things; comfort is a result of familiarity. But trying new things is vital if you want to be a seasoned, informed entrepreneur. You have to understand how the world works and how people’s minds work; and you need to be aware of competitors, potential partnerships, and variables that could impact your work. Any “new” foray will give you some kind of experience — whether it’s bungee jumping or the spiciest wings on the menu about either the world or yourself. The more diverse your experiences are, the more you’ll be able to master your product’s and business’ designs.
- Moving past fear. You’ll experience significant fear before and throughout your time as an entrepreneur. You could lose some important funding, or a major client, or you could push yourself to the financial brink. Being able to move past that fear requires some acceptance of discomfort; otherwise, you may cave in to an easier choice, like quitting and walking away.
- Calculated risks. Starting a business is a risk in itself, but you’ll also face…