I first heard the phrase “get comfortable being uncomfortable” years ago, and it stuck with me. So much so, I used to say it to my team all the time. Why? Because it’s the simple, often painful truth about growth — in your career, in your skillset, and as a person.
It’s natural to seek comfort, because comfort is safe. But the reality is, comfort rarely leads to progress. Growth doesn’t live in the comfort zone — it lives in the stretch, the strain, the risk, the doubt. It lives in the moment you raise your hand for a challenge you’re not sure you can handle. It lives in the awkward first day of a new role, or the uneasy silence after asking a tough question in a meeting. That’s where the magic happens.
Over the course of my career — from entry-level sales to President of a multi-billion-dollar company — I began to recognize a pattern: every time I felt uncomfortable, I was growing. And often, the more uncomfortable I was, the more meaningful the growth. Whether I was stepping into a new leadership role, navigating a difficult business challenge, or mentoring someone for the first time, discomfort signaled transformation.
I’ve seen this play out with countless professionals. The ones who rise don’t shy away from the hard stuff. They lean in. They take the stretch assignments. They volunteer for the projects nobody wants. They admit when they don’t know something, and then get to work learning it. They understand that feeling uncomfortable doesn’t mean they’re failing — it means they’re evolving.
Developing your skills, advancing your career, and becoming a stronger leader all require risk. And risk doesn’t feel safe. But the ability to operate in that discomfort — and to even embrace it — is what separates good from great.
If you’re serious about growth, don’t wait until you’re ready. Don’t wait until it feels easy. Step into the discomfort. It’s a sign you’re pushing yourself into new territory.
Get comfortable being uncomfortable — and watch what happens next.