Why We Learn Most When Going Through Challenges
“Do not follow where the path may lead.
Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
It's no secret that life is full of challenges. We go through tough times in our personal and professional lives. It's how we deal with these challenges that determine our success. Many people believe that we learn the most when we are going through difficult times.
This is because when we are challenged, we have to find a way to overcome the obstacle in front of us. We must dig deep and find the strength to keep moving forward. When we do this, we develop resilience, a key ingredient for success!
I have often written about how my husband is from Michigan, just outside of Detroit. He is our “Fix-it” guy. When he cannot fix it, it kinda sorta drives him crazy. Recently our fireplace died. Well, that’s not true, the gas line would work when situated in a tilted cattywampus skewed position and not square into its brick insulation parameter.
“Why!!?”
I would hear him shout,“Why are you not working?” He would stare at a piece or device he has replaced two perhaps three times before. He would take a break and then return after summarizing yet another YouTube lesson on “How to fix fireplaces.” Although often proud of his self-proclaimed YouTube certified status, Somehow, all of his Go To remedies were failing.
“For the Love…!!!”
Another outburst.
He knows I love to sit in front of the fire in the morning with my coffee. I’ll listen to music in the wee morning hours while challenging Wordle Friends across the country. So, when the morning routine began and the fireplace failed to turn on, he became determined to fix it. It is who he is.
“God Bless it…!”
A third outburst now entering its third week.
This isn’t a good sign.
When God enters the Gotta Fix It challenges, things start to get a little tense around the house.
Andy Frisella says that “Doing hard things consistently will strengthen your mental toughness and your tolerance for struggle. The more mental toughness you have, the more equipped you will be to get through difficult situations and stay disciplined.”
I’m not sure if Andy is YouTube certified like Michael, nor do I know if he has ever repaired a once-working-perfectly-well fireplace. BUT, I do think he is onto something.
He writes, “YOU WILL TRAIN YOURSELF HOW TO EXECUTE UNDER PRESSURE.” He continues, “You will start to get used to your struggles, and eventually become unstoppable.”
Ok.
That sounds nice.
But to be honest, sometimes I just gotta tell Michael, “I think you’ve done your best and, well, perhaps it’s time to - you know - (gulp) …
… hire someone”
(From the moment I spoke the words, I wished them back immediately.)
I mean, we have plenty of friends who consider hiring repair work easy. All it takes is a cell phone and a credit card. DONE! VIOLA! JOB COMPLETED!
I can appreciate this.
But, you see, I married a midwesterner.
He took apart a jeep and built it back together again when he was 12-years old. TWELVE!
I grew up in Los Angeles County. When Michael and I first started living together and mowing the lawn was a requirement with our first home rental, he offered to do it. “You know how?” I naively asked. I grew up with a gardener. Everyone I knew had a gardener. I asked again, “So, you know how to operate a mower?”
I’ll never forget his (really?) “Oh my God” expression!
I felt a little embarrassed and a whole lot of relief.
We weren’t married yet,just living together. (those delightful years of living in sin)
Suddenly, I began to realize “I’ve got a Fix It Person in my life.”
He craves doing hard things.
Finally, Andy Frisella closes, “You may as well embrace the struggle now, and start doing hard things to build the life you truly want.”
I continue to practice challenging myself outside of my comfort zone. Michael actually lives outside of his comfort zone. (or so it seems at times)
Yes. We are living the life we truly desired now.
… even if the fireplace isn’t working.
My life is with him.
How are you with challenge? Where are your comfort zones?
