Be Willing To Be Uncomfortable

graphic © eminentlyquotable.com

Be willing to be unforgettable. Be comfortable being unforgettable. It may get tough, but its a small price to pay for living the dream.” – Peter McWilliams

This quote encourages individuals to strive for distinction and to not be afraid of standing out. It suggests that in order to achieve success and live one’s dream, one must be willing to be unforgettable. This could mean taking risks, pushing boundaries, and being bold in one’s actions and choices. It may also mean being comfortable with being different, and not conforming to societal expectations.

Getting out of our comfort involves taking risk mentally and physically. If you’re averse to doing the uncomfortable, you’ll probably see it as a waste of time. Besides, living inside our comfort zone isn’t all that bad; you get regular happiness, low anxiety, and reduced stress. Why want more?

While it’s your prerogative to settle in a comfortable existence with minimal risk, years of research confirmed that a steady state of relative comfort creates a steady level of performance. Hence, if your goal is to maximize your capabilities and discovering what you’re really made of, you need “Optimal Anxiety,” a space just outside your comfort zone.

In a pioneer study by psychologists Robert M. Yerkes and John D. Dodson, it was found that pushing too hard can actually cause a negative result, dropping one’s performance off the chart. Our comfort zone isn’t necessarily a bad thing; in fact, we need to return to it from time to time. Problems occur when we get too comfortable with comfort, because it kills productivity and creativity, leaving us prone to depression.

Optimal anxiety differs from one person to another; the more we get comfortable with discomfort, the further our optimal anxiety goes. The more we get used to unexpected situations and brave pursuits, the easier it is to deal with them. Ultimately, it will take us to places way beyond our dreams. As a quote goes, “When you want something you’ve never had, you have to do something you’ve never done.”

Being unforgettable is not always easy, as it often comes with a degree of discomfort and challenges. The quote acknowledges that it may get tough, but it is a small price to pay for the reward of living one’s dream. This highlights the idea that in order to achieve something truly great, one must be willing to put in the hard work and endure some discomfort.

The quote’s author, Peter McWilliams, was an American author, poet, and advocate for medical cannabis. He was known for his self-help books, and was a vocal advocate for individual freedom and the right to self-expression. He passed away in 2000 but his work continues to inspire people.

This quote by Peter McWilliams highlights the importance of authenticity and individuality in the pursuit of one’s dreams. It encourages individuals to be bold, take risks, and to not be afraid of standing out. It also acknowledges that the path to achieving one’s dreams may be challenging, but that the reward of living them is worth it.

Hrere are 10 of the books authored by Peter McWilliams:

Life 101: Everything We Wish We Had Learned About Life in School–But Didn’t
How to Heal Depression
Love 101: To Love Oneself Is the Beginning of a Lifelong Romance
The Personal Computer Book: The Beginner’s Guide to Understanding, Buying, and Using a PC
Ain’t Nobody’s Business If You Do: The Absurdity of Consensual Crimes in a Free Society
The McLibel Case
The Little Book of Stress Relief
The Intelligent Investor’s Guide to Stock Market Profits
The Portable Legal Guide to Starting a Business
The Legal Guide for Starting & Running a Small Business

Here are five further quotations by Peter McWilliams:

“Be willing to be a beginner every single morning.”

“The key to success is to focus our conscious mind on things we desire not things we fear.”