Personal growth and comfort rarely go hand in hand.

Aiming for comfort is human nature, but it’s getting comfortable with the uncomfortable that truly champions growth. Fast personal growth requires making tough decisions and breaking through barriers of discomfort.

In this read, I’ll share with you 7 difficult things to start doing that will help you grow exponentially faster than ever before.

This is not about self-inflicted pain or unnecessary suffering. It’s about stepping outside the familiar to find your true potential. That’s growth. So, if you’re ready to stop chasing comfort and start growing at a speedy rate, keep reading.

1) Embrace change

The human brain is a creature of habit. We tend to find comfort in routines and predictability. But growth isn’t found in the safe harbour of the known. It’s found in the rough seas of change.

Change can be intimidating. It often comes with a level of uncertainty and requires a leap of faith. But it’s in this space, outside of our comfort zone, where personal growth truly happens.

No matter if it’s a career change, moving to a new city, or starting a challenging project, breaking away from the familiar can result in significant personal growth.

Remember, change isn’t always a comfortable journey, but it does guarantee an opportunity for growth. It’s about taking calculated risks and making tough decisions. It’s about not letting fear of the unknown hinder your potential.

If you want to accelerate your personal growth, the first hard thing you need to start doing is embracing change. But remember, not all change brings growth. It’s important to distinguish between blindly chasing the new and pursuing meaningful change that aligns with your goals.

2) Tackle failures head-on

Failure stings. I won’t sugarcoat it. I’ve had my fair share of setbacks and disappointments. But rather than wallow in self-pity or dwell on the “what ifs”, I chose to see each failure as a stepping stone.

Let me share something personal here. A few years back, I conceived an idea for a startup. I poured my heart, soul, and a significant chunk of my savings into it. It felt like my dream was materializing. But then, things fell apart. The investor pulled out. The team disbanded. And I was left with shattered hopes and an empty bank account.

I had a choice then: to let this failure define me or rethink its meaning. I chose the latter. I chose to view it as a lesson. I dissected my failure, analyzed what went wrong, and started again. This systematic confrontation with failure paved the way for the success I later achieved with my next venture.

Failure isn’t meant to stop you. It’s meant to steer you in the right direction. See it as a hard thing you must go through, and a lesson you must learn if you really want to grow quickly. It’s not the failure that defines you, but how you respond to it.

3) Prioritize personal growth over pleasure

Our modern, consumer-driven society has a remarkable ability to make us chase instant gratification. Whether it’s through a quick click purchase online or indulging in a luxurious meal, our dopamine-driven feedback loops tend to lead us toward seeking immediate pleasure.

But did you know this quick reward-oriented behaviour can actually hinder your long-term growth?

In a study conducted by University of Pennsylvania, delayed gratification was found to be an indicator of future success. The study, often referred to as the “Marshmallow Test”, gave children a choice between one small reward provided immediately, or a larger reward if they waited for a short period.

Children who managed to delay gratification were noted to have better life outcomes in later years, showing higher SAT scores and lower levels of substance abuse.

It’s time to shift gears. Prioritize personal growth and meaningful achievements over instant pleasures. Embrace the temporary discomfort for a long-lasting benefit. Delaying gratification and focusing on your long-term goals signifies personal progress, setting you on the track of fast-paced growth.

4) Master the art of patience

We live in a world of instant gratification where we want results right now, if not yesterday. This “hurry up” mindset can often cloud our judgment, making us overlook crucial details and taking shortcuts that can hamper our growth.

One of the keys to accelerated personal growth is embracing patience. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is personal success. True growth takes time and patience.

It’s about setting your eyes on the long-term vision, taking steady strides towards it, and having the persistence to not quit when the results aren’t immediate.

Stay patient, stay focused, and remember, your journey to personal growth is a marathon, not a sprint. The more patient you are, the more you can open yourself up to learning experiences, insights, and wisdom that can lead to profound growth. By understanding that true growth is gradual and requires patience, you can begin to appreciate each step of your journey and the progress you’re making.

5) Step into vulnerability

Once upon a time, I held a deeply rooted belief that I could resolve my challenges independently. There was a stubbornness, a pride, an overbearing sense of self-reliance. Admitting that I needed help was a concept I found difficult to grapple with.

Then came a challenge that shook me to my core. Heated business disagreements escalated, and it became challenging to hold the team together. I realized then that it was impossible to navigate this path alone, and that I was staring at a wall that I couldn’t scale by myself.

Stepping into my vulnerability, I decided to seek professional help. I sat with a coach, opened up about my struggles, and was astounded by the clarity and fresh perspective that decision brought me.

Vulnerability may seem uncomfortable, it may go against the grain of self-reliance we often associate with strength and success. But here’s the truth, stepping into vulnerability is nothing short of strength. It brings you closer to your authentic self, builds resilience, and paves the way for exponential personal growth.

So, if you want to grow fast, acknowledge your vulnerability, don’t shy away from seeking help when needed, and remember, we all have moments of weakness, and it’s okay. It’s our response to these moments that ultimately shape us.

6) Incorporate self-reflection

To grow fast, we need to understand where we currently stand, where we want to be, and a clear path on how to get there. This is where self-reflection comes into play.

Self-reflection is about taking some time out of your busy schedule to ponder upon your actions, decisions, and the outcomes they brought. It’s about recognizing your strengths and identifying areas you need to improve.

But remember, self-reflection isn’t about berating yourself over past mistakes. It’s about learning from those mistakes, gaining a deeper understanding of your motives and responses, and equipping yourself with the knowledge to make better decisions moving forward.

Incorporating self-reflection into your routine can lead to significant personal growth. It promotes self-awareness, brings clarity, and fosters a growth mindset. Whether it’s through journaling, meditation, or simply a quiet hour with your thoughts, make self-reflection a habit, and watch yourself grow.

7) Choose courage over comfort

Courage is choosing to step outside your comfort zone. It’s about facing your fears head-on and embracing new experiences that push your boundaries.

Ultimately, comfortable paths will never lead you to personal growth. It’s in discomfort where the magic happens. When we venture into unfamiliar territory armed with courage, we stretch our limits, discover unknown strengths, and cultivate resilience.

Opting for courage over comfort is a ticket to fast-paced growth. Remember, growth and comfort don’t coexist. Sustained growth is a journey that demands bravery, and to embark on this journey, you must muster the courage to choose the uncertain path over the easy one, time and time again.

Final thoughts: Choose growth over comfort

The pursuit of fast growth is ultimately tied to our willingness to step outside our comfort zone. As humans, we are biologically wired toward seeking comfort for survival. But in order to continue evolving and growing as individuals, we must confront discomfort.

Consider this quote from Neale Donald Walsch: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” Truly, anything worthwhile, any significant amount of growth, demands that we push past our perceived limits, venture into uncharted territory, and fully embrace the unconventional path.

The 7 hard things outlined above aren’t random actions but mindful decisions, transforming not just our daily routines, but our lives. They challenge our status quo, prioritizing long-term growth over momentary comfort. They are doors leading us to a fuller, richer, and accelerated personal growth.

It’s time we stop seeking shelter in our comfort zones, and make the brave choice of stepping into the unknown. Your growth awaits there.

It all boils down to one vital decision: the decision to choose discomfort. The decision to choose growth over comfort.