Voluntary discomfort. How can we inspire ourselves from this method to realize our dreams?

And why is self-discipline worth possessing? Because those who possess it can determine what they do with their life.”
—William B. Irvine

I read this sentence recently, and it’s stayed with me. (check the book summary here A Guide To The Good Life: The Ancient Art Of Stoic Joy)

If it’s not you? Then who is? Someone or something else? And it often is, your boss, your family, your friends, your phone, Netflix…

To stay in control, the stoics imposed to themself periods of “voluntary discomfort.”They forced themselves not to drink wine for a few days, to sleep on the floor instead of in bed, to fast, etc…

The objective was twofold, control their mind and detach from all things that could have a hold on them.

 

How can we inspire ourselves from this method to realize our dreams? 

If your goal is to run a 6-mile race in 2022, you will have to put yourself in a situation of “voluntary discomfort.”

• Train 3 times a week in all weathers. 
• Go running instead of watching Netflix. 
• Pay more attention to what you eat, to your sleep.

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After the discomfort, the satisfaction.

• But imagine the satisfaction you’ll get from it: You’ve tamed your mind for a while. And like a muscle, your self-disciplined has improved. 
• Your self-esteem has grown. “I did it.”
• You’ve had to juggle work, family, hobbies and this challenge. You improved your organization’s capabilities, a transferable skill to any other area of your life. 
• You sleep and eat better. You make a new start for your health.
• You’ve met new people who share a common goal. 
• Your race is in another region, in another country. You start traveling again. 

And then?

You cross the finish line in tears. It was hard, and you gave all you had. You swear to yourself not to do it again. But already on the trip back home, you think of a new dream, a new “voluntary discomfort” situation. What if I could run a half marathon? 

Yes, you can. By working on your self-discipline. You take back control of your life. And you can start with any project that appeals to you. 

Less comfort often equals more joy. 

2022 is your year. It’s up to you.