You Will Feel Better by Doing Things You Don’t Want to Do

{ ✖️ } – If You Don’t Want to Do It, It Is the Right Thing to Do.

This article was originally published on The Tiny Wisdom.

Sometimes we face moments where we need to choose between the comfortable and uncomfortable. For example, should I binge Netflix or go for a run? Should I play games until midnight, or should I sleep early?

Well… I prefer to watch Netflix, eat my crisps, and not go on a run any day of the week. But we all know that it is not the right thing to do.

Quick Fixes Are Not the Answer

Our mind and body will always choose what’s more convenient and comfortable. But we’ve always known deep inside what is the better choice for us.

Instant pain relievers would make us feel better for a short time. But it’s like using steroids when all you need is to consistently lift weights.

To outgrow yourself, you have to do the things you don’t want to do the most. Netflix or running? Go out and run. Play games or sleep early? Sleep early and wake up refreshed. 

You’ll feel better about yourself and the decision you’ve made after you’ve finally done it. The voice inside your head always says no, but you said yes and did it anyway. There will be a sense of achievement, and believe me—it feels much better than those quick pain relievers.

Tiny Steps and A Long Walk

Some people make it seem like they achieve success overnight. However, what we see on the news and social media are just what they chose to show us.

There are setbacks, pains, and disappointments that they went through, but we just don’t know it. What makes them unique is their tenacity to grow through it. And that’s what differentiates them from ordinary people.

Add More Weights and Reps

Let’s take fitness as an example. When you are trying to build muscles, you may start with 5kg dumbbells and do three repetitions a day.

But over time, you’ll need more than that to grow stronger; otherwise, there will be no progress because you’ll get used to the weight. So you add pull-ups, cardio, and maybe some weight lifting.

That analogy is similar to how things work in life. Like building muscles, you need to increase your “weight” if you want to improve yourself. 

Adding small incremental changes is equal to adding a hint of “uncomfortable” to your life. It will be challenging, but you’ll get stronger.

Then, you need to put in some more weights and reps to grow stronger. Otherwise, you’ll never change and keep on wondering why your life is always the same.

Take tiny steps because life is a long walk. You’ll be fine as long as you keep on moving.

Comfortably Uncomfortable

Naturally, our brain will always look for the safest and most comfortable things to do, but most of the time, that’s not what we needed. So in these moments, always do the things you don’t want to do.

Small incremental changes in our daily life are like adding some weights and reps to our workout routine. It will be uncomfortable and challenging, but it will always be rewarding when we finally did it.

And that is what will make you different from ordinary people. You say “Yes” to the things other people say “No” to.


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Briandito Priambodo Avatar

Briandito Priambodo / Product Designer @ Wego

Briandito is a designer, developer, and writer. Currently building products in Singapore and writing for his new project TheTinyWisdom.com.

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