Success in many things, or perhaps in everything, has to do with our ability to live and perform under pressure.
We have questions about our future and goals we set to achieve in life. For some reason, however, when we say them out loud, things suddenly become difficult (or real!), and our default position is to get out of the pressure and move to a place where we can be more comfortable.
I’m here to tell you: Comfort is the enemy of all progress and success.
In Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist he writes, “When someone decides they want something, all of the universe conspires to give it to them.”
Realize the universe is not out to destroy us, it is trying to help us! Sometimes that means we need to change, mature, grow up, etc.
While certain pressure may be upon us to help us grow, that same pressure is what enables us to handle the circumstances involved in obtaining the thing we want.
Conversely, removing ourselves from the pressure is removing ourselves from pursuing the goal.
Goals often come with a new set of problems. We have to keep asking the same question until the problem is solved. Asking the same question with no answer in site causes tension and pressure to build up. But remember: this pressure and tension help motivate us to work until we find the solution!
Sometimes the tension we experience or carry is due to the goals we are working towards not being the right ones. We become tense when we realize we have been pursuing the wrong thing!
A paradigm shift could mean starting over.
A paradigm shift is a different kind of pressure but pressure all the same. We have to continually submit ourselves to the pressure and the possibility of starting over or altogether switching directions. A shifting path or belief can be scary to face.
Because life is not static, we do not stay on the same linear path. As a result of the path winding, there are times when our goals need to be adjusted, and there are times when our goals need to be completely thrown out, and we need to start over again.
Learn how to stay (and function) in the tension and pressure of life so you can be successful!
Are there circumstances or places you have avoided because of pressure? Is it an option go back there and get back into the pressure?
Remember: if you need an answer to a question, the best place to find a solution is in the middle of the pressure.