The Art Of Moving Forward

How To Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

We all face challenges every day. In my post, A Flying Rat’s Ass, I talk about how life is constantly throwing obstacles at us that we must overcome. Why is it that so many people never overcome these challenges and remain the same? Others overcome great odds to change their life and live the life the Bible tells us is possible. It is a life of happiness and abundance. Why can’t we all do that? The answer is simple, comfort. Our current situation, no matter how bad it may be, is comfortable. Once it becomes so uncomfortable that we can’t stand it, only then do we take the steps to do something about it. There is a story about a man who walks into a store and sees a dog laying on the floor. The dog will moan and squirm just a little then lay still for a while. The dog keeps moaning and squirming the whole time the man is in the store. As the man is purchasing his goods, he asks the shopkeeper, “what’s wrong with your dog?” The shopkeeper replies, “nothing, he’s just laying on a nail.” The man says, “then why doesn’t he move?” The shopkeeper answers, “because he’s just not uncomfortable enough yet. When it becomes so uncomfortable he can’t stand it, he’ll go live someplace else.”

As humans, we gravitate towards comfort, we like to be in situations that make us feel good. Sometimes, we will forget about the bad things going on in our life so that we can remain feeling comfortable. Those bad things, no matter what they are, must be locked in a closet so that we can pretend our lives are comfortable. It is called a comfort zone for a reason because it is a warm and fuzzy place that makes us feel good. When we have things such as mounting debt, are involved in a toxic relationship, or are fighting an addiction, those things can be painful for a short period of time. We then have to forget about them to get back to our comfort zone. Just like the dog in the story, it is only when it becomes so uncomfortable that we can’t stand it that we do something about it.

In order to move forward, we have to make the uncomfortable comfortable. That means we have to face the demons in our lives and defeat them. We have to make a decision to change the things in our lives that have got us to where we are now and accept that we are worthy and deserving of a better life. If you are doing the same daily routine, whether it’s working or not, it becomes your comfort zone. If you want to change your situation, you have to leave that comfort zone and venture out to places you’re not familiar with. The jungle is a place where the vegetation is so thick that you literally can’t see someone standing five feet away from you. When we were walking through the jungle it was comfortable to walk on a path. Many times though, the paths didn’t lead to our destination and we would have to cut our way through the jungle to get there. This was uncomfortable, slow, and painful but we eventually arrived. The more we had to do this, the more comfortable and routine it became. When you venture out of your comfort zone, at first it can be frightening, but eventually, your new routine becomes comfortable. You know your destination and you don’t care whether your new routine is showing results or not. If you believe in your heart that what you’re doing is the right thing for you then the results will come.

The art of moving forward is simple, you just can’t go backward. If you’re standing with your back to a wall, there’s no other place to go except forward. In the jungle, we always moved forward. If we turned around and tried to go back, we would’ve probably got lost. Yesterday I listened to the podcast, The Quote of the Day Show by Sean Croxton. He played a clip from a seminar given by Bob Proctor in which he talked about the story of “Burning the Ships.” This story has been told many times and has different versions. Bob researched the story and found out that in 711 A.D. a man named Tariq ibn Ziyad traveled from Arabia to Northwest Africa. When he arrived he recruited a group of Moors and Berbers and he had them build wooden ships. He then sailed across the small body of water that separates Northwest Africa from Spain. When they arrived, he ordered all the men off the ships and set fire to the ships. He then went ashore and told his people that they had a choice. They could go forward to victory or they could go back to the ocean and drown. He led his men to capture Spain against ridiculous odds and rule Spain for a little over 500 years.

We all have the same decision to make in our lives. Are we going to move forward to victory or are we going back to our old lives and drown? Once you make the decision to change your life, you will find yourself in an uncomfortable place. You will have to develop new routines and maybe even have to cut some people out of your life. People can pull you upwards to victory or they can be anchors and pull you down to drown in your same life. Cut yourself away from the anchor and rise up to the surface. If you’re going through challenges right now or not living the life you want to live, then make that decision to change your situation. Get off the path, take out your machete, and start cutting yourself a new path. A great life is promised to you and is awaiting you if you are willing to do what it takes to go get it. Get out of your comfort zone, be willing to take the hits, and never go backward.

Are you willing to burn your ships? The art of moving forward is simple, make it the only direction you can go. My train only moves forward, so if you get on, bring everything you have with you because we can’t go back and get it. If you are being challenged by life now or in the past, just keep moving forward. Every day, just keep making a little progress forward. Don’t worry about the results, genuinely believe they are coming into your heart and they will arrive. If you have overcome anything in your life or are needing encouragement, please leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you. If you like this post please click the little star and if you think you could help someone feel free to share it. If you would like to support my blog, please click on the links or product icons. Even if you are looking for something different on Amazon, if you purchase anything within 24 hours of connecting through any of the links on my page I will get credit for the sale and make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

“This Train Is Moving on, You Can Get on, You Can Get off, But the Train Keeps Moving on! We Are Going to the Top of the Mountain!”

Sharing

I believe in the power of sharing. If I read a good blog that really speaks to me and I believe it will provide value to others, I will share it. I have linked four books that I believe have value. In order to change you, you first have to change the way you think. Leaders Are Readers!

I still enjoy sitting by the pool or on my sofa with a good book. I read all kinds of books, fiction, history, biographies, and motivational. I enjoy the quiet time I get with just me and my book. But we live in a fast pace society today where sometimes we need to combine our tasks. Do you find yourself short on time? Are you constantly saying, where did the time go? You are not alone. I believe that we all feel like we don’t have enough time to get everything accomplished and what usually suffers is me time. A shortcut that I have found helpful is my Audible Membership and Kindle Unlimited Membership. I listen to books on audible while I’m doing other things. I can listen while getting dressed, while I’m working out, and even while I’m preparing dinner for my family. It is a great way to get my reading in even when I have a full to do list that I have received from the Mrs. She doesn’t take kindly to me ignoring her to do list while I catch up on my reading. With an Audible Membership it’s a win-win for both of us. I can download great books on this and listen to them with my AirPods.   I use my AirPods every time I exercise. They don’t fall out and the sound is great. With Kindle I can download books, magazines, and my daughters can even download their college textbooks. This is so much easier than carrying a heavy backpack full of textbooks around campus. The books can be downloaded to any device and read with the Kindle app.

Both the Audible Membership and Kindle Unlimited Membership are currently offering a 30 day free trial. You can sign up by clicking on the links and give it a test drive for 30 days free. If you find it’s not for you, simply cancel your membership before your 30 days are up and you won’t be charged.

Do you know someone who is always in a hurry and can’t seem to take time for themselves? We all do. I would suggest checking out giving an Audible Membership as a gift. It is a great gift idea for someone who is always on the go,

The Secret by Rhonda Byrne. A book that will change your life. It answers the question, Why do some people have everything and others struggle? The answer is simple, they know the secret. It has changed my life and can change yours.

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. This is an oldie but goodie that is full of relevant life lessons. It is a book that you hear speaker after speaker refer to. Successful people all have the same mentality and know you have to change the way you think to be successful. Only one percent of people set goals.

Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind And Defy The Oddsby David Goggins. I really enjoyed read this book and I found it very relatable. If you want to become more than you are today, read this book. After you finish there will be no excuses. David is just an ordinary guy who made the decision to be extraordinary and was determined.

The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey. A must read for anyone wanting to change their habits. A great book for managers and leaders. Covey teaches you how to transform your thoughts to not on help you but also to help others. These are 7 principles to definitely incorporate into your life.

I appreciate every like, follow, comment and share. Keep’em coming.