I devoted an entire chapter in my new book, 8 Ways to Great: Peak Performance on the Job and In Your Life to the concept of being uncomfortable. The idea is that in my Peak Performance coaching practice, I have discovered that almost everyone is faced with uncertainty in many aspects of our lives, whether in business, at home or in relationships. If you have ever taken wedding vows, signed a business contract or taken out a mortgage, then you have first-hand experience with what it feels like to face uncertain situations meaning that you are asked to make a decision or commitment now about something that is going to be taking place or continuing on into the future (and in some cases, like marriage, possibly the rest of your life).
So how can you or anyone be expected to make that kind of a decision?
What I have discovered as Peak Performance coach to the elite is that they are faced with the same decisions that you and I face. The difference is they learn how to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Yes, it is a conscious choice they make, which means, since they are human like the rest of us, then we can make that same choice.
Having the freedom to choose is an incredible gift.
Those who achieve greatness are not necessarily special; they just think different. But thinking is only part of the formula to greatness, you also have to take action.
So how do you actually put this idea into action? You need to start with separating the "noise" from the "data." You need to look at the situation as if you were an outsider examining it; or as if you were a scientist studying it.
My top performing clients not only survived the economic downturn; but continued to thrive through it because they remained objective and detached from what was going on around them.
They chose to not get emotionally wrapped up in worrying about things that they could not control. Instead they looked at the situation objectively and listen to what it was telling them to do.
They make decisions with one goal in mind, to be the best they can possible be.
And while some of my clients are smarter than you and I, they know one thing for sure: in the end, they don't know much of anything.
Sounds like a confusing statement to make but all it really means is they stay humble, even keeled and they are smart enough to know that being mega-successful is not about being smart - it is more about knowing how and when to be "dumb."
When things are going well, they are never too happy and when things look the most hopeless, they are never too sad.
What I think is great about coaching these top performers is that they bring a brilliant and simple perspective into focus - and most importantly, a perspective that we all can implement in our lives, not matter where you live, what you do or how much you earn for a living. And as I outline in Principle #7 of 8 Ways to Great, you have the power and freedom to become great by getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. Trust me, it's worth it.
Dr. Doug Hirschhorn
