It’s uncomfortable to try your best and still end up losing. It’s uncomfortable to try and try and try and try and try again. It’s uncomfortable to know that you’re not the smartest person in the room — and might not ever be. It’s uncomfortable to face the harsh criticism of those who doubt your ability to win. It’s uncomfortable to look your fears in the eye and still work as hard as you know you can. It’s uncomfortable to have to apologize to those who you hurt by your mistakes. It’s uncomfortable to give a kind word to others when you’re hurting inside. It’s uncomfortable to force yourself to keep learning when learning is hard and slow. It’s uncomfortable to lay it all on the line and end up lose it all. It’s uncomfortable to be told that “you’ll never be good enough” no matter how hard you try. It’s uncomfortable to practice and plan and develop new skills. It’s uncomfortable to push the limits when the limits push back at you. It’s uncomfortable to answer the crowd when your results aren’t what you want them to be. It’s uncomfortable to not have an answer when you want one so desperately. It’s uncomfortable to keep grinding it out day after day when you can’t see the finish line. It’s uncomfortable to feel tired, to cry, and to get hurt. It’s uncomfortable to be embarrassed, laughed at, and mocked for your big dreams.

But just because it hurts doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be doing it.

Living life uncomfortably is the only way to live. It’s being uncomfortable that makes you better. It’s being uncomfortable that reminds you you’re not where you want to be. It’s your road map for finding the finish line. The bright light that guides you to success. When everything is okay it’s easy to sit back and pretend like you’re meeting your full potential. When you try and fail and things get a little embarrassing that’s when you know you’re pushing the limits. You’re pushing back against mediocrity.

You’re fighting the temptation to play it safe. To back off.

No one wants to feel uncomfortable. But living life uncomfortably is the only way to live. Especially if you have big dreams. If you want to make a difference. Otherwise, you’ll just end up being mediocre.