Why Would You Welcome Suffering?!
The entrepreneurial, and really, life journey often feels like navigating a challenging coastal mountain trail — some stretches are smooth and scenic and you want to pull out your smartphone and take a bunch of pics, while other parts are steep, unforgiving, and risk your phone being dropped down the cliff edge.
But what if those tough climbs, the ones where you feel out of breath, or banged up a little, or unsure of your footing, what if you embraced those even more than you already do?
What if you remembered more often that these stretches are the ones that have truly made you who you are — the best parts of you. That without these, you’d be a boring stiff with weak resolve.
The Buddhists say that suffering offers important learning and lessons, and that the experience of the suffering — and the practice of reducing the suffering and growing in the experience — is the way.
And it’s not just Buddhism. Many spiritual teachings remind us that life’s struggles are essential.
The challenges themselves, uncomfortable as they are, offer insight and growth.
Suffering is a Teacher
What would change for you if you reframed suffering, i.e. challenges and obstacles, as simply opportunities to be stronger and better? Oh sure, I do it too where I’m like, “I don’t want this ‘opportunity’ to grow right at this moment, I’m tapped!” But if we had complete control over ‘the game’ and could pick and choose when our challenges and growth moments happened, we’d lose our bloody minds from being so bored. Too predictable. No variety. We’d just eat and drink and get uninspired and lazy.
Entrepreneurs know suffering all too well — long hours, reducing talent pools, eroding profits, cash flow misery, missed family moments. But what if we reframed that suffering? Instead of avoiding or dreading the challenges, what if we saw them as opportunities to grow? To challenge us to be better.
The level of leader you are today directly creates your circumstances. You want better circumstances? You gotta get better! Whether that’s in how you lead, how you hire, how you manage cash, how you sell, how you market — many, many opportunities.
The Human Journey Is One of Experience
The Stoic greats — Epictetus, Seneca and Marcus Aurelius — they all highlighted the importance of the human journey as one of experience. Life’s richness doesn’t come from avoiding pain or seeking constant happiness. It comes from embracing the life we have here. What we’ve been dealt. The one commodity we cannot create more of. Time.
As an entrepreneur, every moment — the stress of a deadline, the joy of a win, the uncertainty of a new venture — adds to the depth of your experience.
It is the same as when you notice a new ache or pain, or the inability to do an activity you used to do with ease. You pine for the days when you could quickly ascend two stairs at a time! In time, you will wish you were back at this age you embody now.
Actionable Takeaway:
Next time you find yourself overwhelmed by a challenge or setback, pause and ask, “What is my opportunity here to grow and get stronger?” Ask yourself this question often.
By reflecting on the present moment and understanding its role in your journey, you’ll find clarity and purpose that might have otherwise gone unnoticed. And in doing so, you’ll gain something even more valuable than immediate success. You’ll be an even better version of yourself. And experience the lasting fulfillment that comes with that.
Appreciate where you are right now, how far you’ve come.
If the 'five years ago you’ could have seen then how far you’ve come in that time, what would your ‘five years ago you’ have said? I’m guessing the answer would be shared with a smile. Own that. It’s a good thing.
“We have two lives, and the second begins when we realize we only have one.” — Epictetus
Chris Wilkinson is a Business Coach who works with driven business owners seeking a better experience. For more information visit www.CoachingWithChris.ca or email Chris at info@CoachingWithChris.ca
