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"Discomfort isn’t the enemy. It’s the invitation."

Today’s Ladder:

Stay Safe, Stay Stuck

The first time I led a team, I thought I was in over my head.

I second-guessed every decision.

Sweated through every meeting.

Went home drained… and doubting.

One night, I called a mentor and blurted out, “I don’t think I’m cut out for this.”

She paused and said, “That’s exactly how you know you’re growing.”

I didn’t expect that.

But I held onto it like a lifeline.

So the next time discomfort showed up…

In the form of tough feedback, hard conversations, or high-stakes visibility…

I didn’t run.

I leaned in.

Because now I knew: fear wasn’t the enemy.

Comfort and familiarity was.

Want More? Feel the Stretch.

Here’s how to move through the discomfort:

1. Say yes before you feel ready – action builds belief.

2. Treat fear as a marker – fear often marks the edge of your growth zone.

3. Normalize the stretch – discomfort is a sign you’re leveling up, not breaking down.

Commandment #5 says…

Comfort keeps you safe, but it also keeps you small. 

Discomfort feels risky, but it leads to reward. 

Growth isn’t found in routines, it’s found in the rupture.

You don’t rise by repeating, you rise by reaching.

Because growth never feels cozy.

But the version of you you’re becoming?

They’re worth the stretch.

Takeaway:

Comfort Doesn’t Create Growth

My mother gave me a gift once, though it didn't feel like it at the time.

I was caught in that familiar professional rut:

Doing good work, but feeling like my career was stalled, my value unseen.

I vented to her about the lack of opportunities, the feeling of being overlooked.

She listened with that quiet wisdom, then posed a simple question:

"Lex, are you looking for comfort in your job, or are you willing to seek out growth and discomfort?"

Her words were a wake-up call.

I realized I was actively avoiding tasks outside my known abilities, fearing the anxiety that bubbles up when you're truly vulnerable.

Soon after, a company-wide email called for volunteers to lead a complex, cross-departmental project.

Every fiber of my being screamed "no". 

This was high-visibility, high-stakes… triggering my deepest anxieties.

But my mother’s words echoed:

“Growth requires discomfort.”

With a racing heart, I volunteered.

The initial days were a blur of self-doubt and overwhelming complexity.

Yet, as I leaned into the chaos, something shifted…

I wasn't just managing the project; I was discovering a new level of strategic thinking and collaborative leadership.

That project became a pivotal moment in my career.

This experience cemented the fifth of my 10 Career Commandments: “Growth Requires Discomfort.”

Promotions and salary increases live on the other side of crucial conversations and bold decisions. 

You are the asset, and your willingness to step into the uncomfortable unlocks its full potential.

If you're tired of feeling stuck and crave a clear path to accelerate your career, The 10 Career Commandments provides that bold framework.

Step into your next level of growth.

ICYMI: Links to recent issues

👎 Stop Underselling Yourself: The Case for Backing Your Ask

🙅🏻‍♀️ Struggling to Connect with Coworkers? Here’s the Fix

3️⃣ The 3 Career Moves That Make You AI-Proof

To your success,

Dr. Lex ✍️

Founder, Career Ladder | Career MBA

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