Let’s be clear: our body (and mind) like being under stress.
It’s how we grow and adapt. Exercise (physical stress) changes our morphology – it literally changes the way we look. Learning (cognitive stress) changes our minds – it rewires our brain, creating new neuronal connections.
So the last thing you want is to live with no stress.
Of course you do want it to be manageable, everyone has their limit and you don’t want it to break you. The thing is, your limit is far past what you think you are capable of, and reaching it is going to be painful. Most people will stop well before they get there, so your chance of pushing yourself too hard is pretty slim.
I’m writing this at the gym, a place I don’t want to be. I am painfully pushing myself, something I don’t want to do. But I do it for the payoff and because I know there are no shortcuts. I have done this for 35 years and it never gets easier, but the rewards are undeniable.
Make no mistake, without stress we can never fully realize our potential. So the next time you think something is too hard, understand that’s the whole point.
No stress = no pain = no growth.