Episode 12 | "Hard choices, easy life; easy choices, hard life." — Jerzy Gregorek

In this episode of Strong & Awake, Dane and Mitch explore the trifecta of challenges that every human faces: the drift, the whirlwind, and the comfort crisis (our response). They reveal how our natural inclination towards comfort can lead to a life of mediocrity and despair. Through personal anecdotes and metaphors to act as anchors, they illustrate the importance of choosing voluntary discomfort to achieve a life of flourishing and strength. Join them as they challenge you to flip the script and embrace the unlikely path to a better existence.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction
• 02:38 The Drift
• 05:05 The Whirlwind
• 06:56 The Comfort Crisis
• 12:52 Personal Whirlwinds
• 28:07 Our Response
• 32:26 Building a Practice

Mentions:

• Jerzy Gregorek: Quoted for saying, "hard choices, easy life, easy choices, hard life."
• Second Law of Thermodynamics (Entropy): Mentioned as the scientific concept of energy dissipation.
• Talking Heads: Referenced for their song with the lyric "how did I get here?"
• Krista Tippett: Host of On Being, the podcast which contained the original reference to "the whirlwind of being human".
• Michael Easter: Author of "The Comfort Crisis," a book discussing the modern world's comfort issues.
• Kierkegaard: Quoted for saying, "man finds the level of despair he can tolerate and he calls it happiness."
• James Clear: Author of "Atomic Habits," mentioned for his new habit-tracking app called Atoms.
• Tim Krueger (Co-founder): Mentioned as the co-founder of Men and Women of Discomfort who passed away from stomach cancer.
• Book "A Grace Disguised": Mentioned as a book about grief by an author who lost his family in a car accident.
• Buffalo and Cows: Mentioned in the context of buffaloes running toward storms and cows running away, leading to their demise.

Anchor Actions:

1. Shift the Drift:

• Identify areas in your life where you feel your energy dissipating. This could be your health, relationships, or personal goals.
• Implement small, consistent habits to counteract this drift. For example, if you notice a decline in physical health, commit to a daily 10-minute exercise routine. Track your progress and adjust as needed to ensure you’re infusing energy back into these areas regularly.

2. Face the Whirlwind with Preparedness:

• Acknowledge the unpredictable storms in your life—whether they are health issues, financial stress, or unexpected responsibilities.
• Prepare for these by creating a contingency plan. This could include setting aside an emergency fund, developing a mental health routine (like meditation or journaling), or building a support network. The key is to have a proactive approach to manage these challenges when they arise.

3. Reject the Comfort Crisis by Choosing Hard Paths:

• Identify moments when you are tempted to choose comfort over growth. This could be opting to watch TV instead of working on a personal project or avoiding a difficult conversation.
• Commit to making at least one hard choice daily. This could mean starting your day with a cold shower, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or having that tough conversation you've been avoiding. Track these choices and reflect on the benefits you experience as a result.

Join Us:

Our Membership Community (MWOD) is where we embrace discomfort as a path to personal development. Remember, it's probably not for you... but if...