Why You Must Do Hard Things to Grow
Laurie Moser . Published July 10, 2023
So worth it!
A few days ago, my husband, myself and two of our kids went on a combined bike ride and hike that was the most challenging one we have done so far. From that experience, I kept seeing the parallels between doing something hard and challenging, like the bike/hike experience we had and the journey of life.
A few life lessons that I learned:
Life is a journey of growth and self-discovery, and often, it's the challenges you face that propel you forward. It's tempting to stay within your comfort zone, and I’m trying to be aware of when I’m doing this too much because I know that real growth happens when you dare to venture into the unknown and tackle the hard things that scare or challenge you.
It’s human nature to seek comfort and security. It's natural to gravitate towards familiar surroundings and routines. However, the comfort zone can be deceptive, trapping you in a state of stagnation. I’m starting to learn that when I’m feeling antsy and agitated it’s usually because I’m not challenging myself or doing enough to grow. Growth requires pushing the boundaries of what feels safe and comfortable. When you challenge yourself, it can feel scary, it’s hard but it also expand your horizons, and you discover new depths within yourself. Stepping outside your comfort zone is the first step toward personal transformation and growth.
Life is full of setbacks and obstacles, but it's through facing these challenges head-on that you develop resilience. By engaging with difficult tasks, you learn to adapt, persevere, and bounce back from failure. My new mantra: failure is just learning. I tell myself this all the time now. Doing hard things and challenging yourself, teaches you invaluable lessons and builds your character. Each hurdle you overcome builds inner strength and equips you with the tools needed to tackle future challenges with confidence. Remember, growth happens when you work hard to overcome obstacles and challenges and keep pushing through. I wanted to quit that bike ride that was mostly uphill for 2 hours, most of the time. But, I didn’t and I showed myself and my kids that we can do hard things and feel so proud of ourselves and what we achieved.
Our human potential is boundless, yet it remains largely untapped unless you challenge yourself. By confronting hard things, you discover hidden talents, skills, and capabilities you never knew you possessed. Getting to this lake and taking in the views of such a beautiful mountain lake, that we had biked and then hiked into was an amazing example of doing something hard that I wasn’t sure I could. A few rewards for it: a packed lunch never tasted so good; I felt so proud of myself and my family for doing this; and I was in awe of the beauty of where we were and how we got there. When you stretch yourself beyond your perceived limits, you create opportunities for growth and learning. It's in the face of challenges that you often find your true purpose and realize your fullest potential. You can do so much more than you think you can!
Growth is a continuous process, and it requires a willingness to learn and adapt. To feel engaged and alive in this beautiful short life you have, growth and learning are essential! By doing hard things, you expose yourself to new experiences, perspectives, and knowledge. It encourages us to think critically, problem-solve, and approach situations with an open mind. The ability to learn from difficult experiences and adapt accordingly is a vital skill that propels us forward and enables us to thrive in an ever-changing world.
As you navigate through life, it's important to remember that growth seldom occurs in the absence of challenges. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, resilience, and personal development. Embracing the hard things in life allows us to tap into our potential, build resilience, and cultivate a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation. So, dare to take on the challenges that come your way, for it is through them that you will truly grow into the best version of yourself.
I’ve always resonated with that expression: you pick your hard. What might seem easy now, not challenging yourself, growing, learning , doing hard things or facing your fears becomes the hard later, when you don’t have your mental, physical, emotional or spiritual health because you chose the easy and comfortable path.
Will I do that hike again? Yes, but next time, it will just be my husband and I. We will hike all the way in, not bike and be rewarded with staying at a mountain gem little cabin with the most awe inspiring mountain views, nature and lake. Worth it!
