How to Grow Through Hard Times

In this episode of the Mindset Mentor podcast, Rob Dial discusses how to grow through suffering and why it's important to use something called applied suffering.

Pain vs. Suffering

• Pain is inevitable in life, but suffering is optional.

• Resisting the way that the world is can lead to unnecessary suffering.

• Pain is a stimulus for your brain or body to make a change.

Applied Suffering

• Applied suffering involves using pain as a stimulus for growth.

• Muscles and plants both grow through pain and destruction.

• Lobsters grow by shedding their hard shells and becoming vulnerable.

Overall, Rob Dial argues that while pain is inevitable in life, we have the choice whether or not to suffer. By embracing pain as a stimulus for growth, we can use applied suffering to become stronger and more resilient.

Pain is the Stimulus for Growth

In this section, the speaker discusses how pain can be a stimulus for growth and how discomfort is necessary to get out of one's comfort zone.

Seeking Discomfort

• Pain is a stimulus for growth.

• The universe usually comes and speaks to you in a whisper, but if you don't listen long enough, it's going to slap you right.

• To get out of your comfort zone, you need to seek discomfort.

• Discomfort is your friend; it's something that you should be seeking.

Why We Avoid Discomfort

• People try to avoid discomfort at all costs and build a life that's completely away from all their fears.

• Our comfort zone is like a modern-day cave where we stay in there to protect ourselves because we're afraid of anything outside of it.

• When we step out of our comfort zone, it feels the same as when a caveman would walk out of the cave in the middle of the night.

Neuroplasticity

• Your body grows and gets better when you push yourself outside your comfort zone.

• Neuroplasticity only happens when you do something that pushes you outside what you typically do.

Benefits of Ice Baths and Seeking Discomfort

In this section, the speaker talks about his experience with ice baths and how it has helped him seek discomfort. He also discusses the mental benefits of pushing oneself past their comfort zone.

Ice Baths for Mental Benefits

• The speaker started doing ice baths eight years ago when it was not popular.

• He did it to come in contact with his little inner voice that holds him back.

• Even after seven-eight years, he still hates getting into ice baths but loves the mental benefits of seeking discomfort.

• Doing something extremely hard first thing in the morning sets him up for success throughout the day.

Pushing Boundaries and Fear

• Pushing boundaries helps one grow mentally and physically.

• Fear is what usually stops us from pushing our boundaries.

• When feeling fear, ask yourself if what you are fearing will kill you. If not, remind yourself that you are safe.

• Reminding your conscious subconscious and nervous system that you're safe can help overcome fear.

True Story: Overcoming Fear

• The speaker shares a true story about visiting a park in Mexico called Senses where there were optical illusions and physical illusions.

• There was one activity where he had to jump off a platform onto a trapeze bar. He felt fear but reminded himself that he was safe, which helped him overcome his fear.

Overcoming Claustrophobia

In this section, the speaker talks about his experience with claustrophobia and how he overcame it.

Facing Fear

• The speaker was warned that if he was claustrophobic, he should not go through a certain experience.

• The experience involved walking alone through a completely dark room that simulated different environments using only touch, sound, and smell.

• The speaker initially felt extreme fear and panic but used breathing techniques to calm himself down.

• By repeatedly reminding himself that he was safe, the speaker was able to walk through the entire experience.

Practice Being Uncomfortable

• The speaker encourages listeners to do something uncomfortable as an exercise in facing fear.

• He suggests laying down in a public place for 30-45 seconds or asking for a 20% discount at a store or coffee shop.

• The goal is to get used to being uncomfortable and pushing oneself out of their comfort zone.

Seeking Discomfort and Applied Suffering

In this section, Rob Dial talks about how seeking discomfort and using applied suffering can help you grow outside of your comfort zone.

The Importance of Seeking Discomfort

• Seeking discomfort is important for personal growth.

• Making someone else's day better can be a form of seeking discomfort.

Using Applied Suffering

• Using applied suffering involves intentionally putting yourself in uncomfortable situations to build resilience.

• Applied suffering can help you develop the mental toughness needed to overcome challenges.

Conclusion

Rob Dial encourages listeners to seek discomfort and use applied suffering as a way to grow outside of their comfort zones. He also reminds listeners to make someone else's day better as a form of seeking discomfort.