"The Day Came..." Embrace Discomfort and Unlock True Growth
Growth isn't a one-time leap; it's an ongoing process. In those moments of discomfort, we often find ourselves at a crossroads: ill we numb ourselves with distractions or will we choose to lean in, even when it feels like too much?
We've all been there—pushing forward, trying to reach the next level of success, only to find ourselves in the middle of extraordinary discomfort. So much so, that momentarily we begin to question ourselves: "Am I really cut out for this? Who do I think I am? Maybe I should just be satisfied with the status quo, or what I've already achieved."
It's that feeling that can stop us in our tracks. And if we listen to it, a small (or large) part of us starts to shrink.
But here's something important to remember: discomfort is not a roadblock. It's an invitation to grow.
Growth isn't a one-time leap; it's an ongoing process. In those moments of discomfort, we often find ourselves at a crossroads: Will we numb ourselves with distractions—blame, anger, shopping, eating, or overworking? Or will we choose to lean in, even when it feels like too much?
This is where transformation happens. When we embrace discomfort instead of avoiding it, we create space for real growth. We realize that what we've been avoiding is the very thing that will help us blossom.
The Power of Embracing Discomfort
Time and again, I see this with my clients. They reach incredible milestones—scaling their businesses, growing their teams, and expanding their lives. But at some point, they all hit a breaking point, where they are asked to stretch further, to grow beyond what they thought was possible.
It's in these moments—when we lean in, reflect, pause, and face the discomfort—that true growth happens. Anaïs Nin captures this beautifully: "And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom."
It's not about having all the answers—it's about trusting yourself to take that first step into the unknown and letting the rest unfold.
I've Been There Too: The Reset Room Journey
This process of growth doesn't just apply to personal development—it's at the core of every successful venture. And trust me, I've been there too with The Reset Room.
As some of you know, I've been on an incredible journey with my partners, bringing this extraordinary vision to life. Our goal is to support organizations and high-stress environments like conferences and corporate offices with a space designed to address stress, wellbeing, and leadership in a transformative way.
But, like any true innovation, there have been plenty of "oh crap!" moments—moments of extraordinary discomfort, where we hold the dichotomy of both clarity and uncertainty. The truth is, in this pilot phase, we don't have all the answers yet. But that's exactly where the real opportunity lies.
I've had my own moments of insecurity and doubt with this project, wondering, “Am I really ready for this?” And yet, every time I take a deep breath, step back, and truly listen, the answer is a resounding YES. And as I navigate through the discomfort, I'm reminded of the profound impact The Reset Room has already had: The feedback has been incredible, and the ripple effects are already starting to show—people are walking away more grounded, more focused, and more equipped to handle the challenges that lie ahead.
It's through sitting with both the discomfort and the unknown that we create something far bigger than ourselves. When we embrace the not-knowing, we get to play, to imagine infinite possibilities, and to co-create with others who are just as invested in the vision.
What Are You Ready to Embrace?
So, I ask you: What discomfort are you avoiding? What challenges are inviting you to lean in, trust yourself, and take that first step toward the growth that's waiting on the other side?
Remember: It's not just about weathering the storm—it's about blossoming because of it.
If you're feeling ready to embrace that next level of growth—for yourself, your team, or your organization—I'd love to support you on this journey. And if The Reset Room feels like the space your organization needs to create lasting transformation, let's talk about how we can bring it to life together.
Here's to the courage to grow, the strength to lean in, and the beauty of what's on the other side.
P.S. If this resonates, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop me a note or comment, and let’s continue the conversation.
Diving Deeper
Last blog, I shared a perhaps provocative definition for personal development. If you missed it, watch here or scroll below. This week we dive into why it is that fundamental and foundational to doing the work, is actively and courageously falling in love with yourself. It is not easy AND it is requisite. Click here to watch, or read below :).
I recently had a dear friend ask a bit incredulously, "don't we need to get to know ourselves before we can fall in love with ourselves?" It is a wholly valid question.
My answer?
No.
Let me explain.
When a baby is born, and you hold that precious human in your arms for the very first time - you are already in love with it. You do not wait to see how it poops, how little it cries, or what it's personality is - you unconditionally love that being, likely before it is even born. It is precisely that love that has you wipe its tush no matter how smelly, how messy it's diaper is MULTIPLE times a day. Your love enables you to be with all its crap (quite literally). It is that love that gets you out of bed no matter how exhausted you are. It does not say, "I am too tired and I do not have time for you," or "maybe later."
It is that love that stares in amazement as that child wobbly stands for the first time... and then falls flat on its tush. It's that love which says, "How incredible! You've got it!" And watches as the child tries another 50 or 100 times to get up before it walks, and then runs through the house and life. We do not say, "you idiot, you fell on your ass again?? See whose watching. Everyoneee. You best just stay there. Why try, again?"
It is that love, which as the child grows older and makes mistakes says, "you made a mistake, and that's ok. My love is not conditional on your making mistakes. Let's look at what happened... what made you do that? This is how we learn, this is how we grow."
We innately know and research shows, it is that love, be it from a parent, teacher or another, which enables our children to reach the greatest heights of their potential. Shame, disgust, ridicule - will not get them there.
But yet, that is how we treat ourselves.
IF we wait to get to know ourselves before falling in love with ourselves - we will find all the evidence in the world for why we are not worth loving. As we get to know ourselves and our tendencies - we'll easily say, "see that's why you aren't worth loving! Told you!!" Each mistake and every moment of being (i.e. cranky) when we are tired, irritated or lost, will magnify for us, how undeserving we are. We will be looking through dirty, tinted, crud filled lenses of inadequacy, thus obscuring the true view.
The one thing we want the most is to be loved - but we refuse to love ourselves. It's the one thing we want most, not (just) from others, but its the one thing we most want from ourselves - whether we've realized it yet or not.
However, if we come from a place where we wholly love ourselves, we are more willing to take our own hands and look into the dark, scary places, and do the hard work. And when we explore from a place of unconditional love - we are more willing to dive in because we aren't looking for ways to prove that we are "unworthy."
Imagine a world where everyone not only wants the best for themselves but also loves themselves enough to go into the dark, hard places, knowing that as they move through, they reach greater heights. Imagine a world where everyone is accessing their greatest potential. That's a world I am fighting for.
How about you?
It starts with you.
With love and abundant gratitude,
Rachel
A Conscious Choice
What is Personal Development??
I was recently asked to give a talk on the importance of this huge topic. But before we could dive into how important it is, we needed to define it. I wanted to use the BEST definition out there (if it’s been done, no need to fix) but in scouring the internet, I came up short, which gave me the opportunity to lean into my work and experience and create one. It is that, which I get to share with you here. Click here to watch the Youtube Video or read below. I hope it stimulates and maybe even challenges some thinking. Let’s start a conversation!
Personal Development:(n, v) the active process of getting to know ourselves, (self-awareness) of choosing to fall in love with ourselves so that we can live with intention, connected to ourselves and the world around us. It's the courageous process of looking at and then removing the myriad of self-imposed constraints we put on ourselves. It's the heralding of aspects which make us unique and 1 in 8 billion. It's the courage to go into the dark places knowing that through those doorways is the access to light.
It is not a set of skills and tools we acquire. It is not something we add to our resume. It's the process by which we make the unconscious (or that which we are oblivious to) conscious (something we are aware of) and through that awareness can then make choices we consciously choose, rather than being run by choices run by our unconscious.
Perhaps not something previously considered (or even hard to digest), I'll follow up with why "falling in love with ourselves" is a non-negotiable, fundamental, base-line, part of the process. Until then, email and get in touch - or share this with others!
With love (and gratitude for allowing me to share!)
Rachel