Growth beyond comfort Nerd fitness

Stephen Wilson Jr. for Mars, Inc. He was a working scientist. (Yes, the Candy Company).

One day his boss pulled him into an office and told him something that would change his life.

“Stephen, you’re going to get a promotion.

Normally this was meant as a warning by the boss because of the holiday.

In a past life, Stephen was a guitarist in a small indie rock band. He also spent his evenings writing songs.

The boss knows Stephen is a great songwriter and knows where he’s been.

He told Stephen about the golden bracelet.

“You are lined up for promotion and they are preparing you for the next step.

And you are at a crossroads.

Because if you take[the promotion]like I took 30 years ago, your dream of being a songwriter is gone. This eats at each of you.

You can write songs and do this now, but I’m not sure you can in 6 months. So I want to give you a warning.

That little voice that had been in Stephen’s head for years and years began to scream.

After 6 weeks he put in his 2 weeks notice with that inner voice now deafening, confused. Everyone (Except the boss and his wife).

While honing his craft, he began selling and waiting tables to earn a living while trying to get published in country music… getting rejected for not writing. .“Bro country” songs.:

“You write Real Songs. There is nothing we can do about this…”

Years later, after finding modest success writing songs for other musicians, he finally worked up the courage and experience and talent to record his own songs.

And last year he finally released his debut album, Father’s sonRolling Stone named it one of the best albums of 2023.

Recently, Stephen One .A jaw-dropping cover of Ben E. King’s “Stand By Me.”. I’ve listened to it about 10,000 times in the last month.

(Seriously, please watch this video. It will drive you nuts!)

The golden bracelet vs the uncomfortable expansion

From 2008-2010 I also lived a double life.

I had my day job at Sixthman promoting and organizing floating music festivals. But I spent my evenings and weekends working on a small website helping nerds get along.

My boss April and my mentor Andy (who owns the business) both knew where my heart was; They encouraged me to pursue the awkward future of trying to make Nerd Fitness my career.

16 years later, we’re still going strong!

In Oliver Burkman .Four thousand weeks.It encourages us to ask a specific question when making decisions in life.

“Where in your life or work do you pursue comfort, when the calling is a little uncomfortable?”

Asking ourselves, “What makes me most happy” leads us to a short-term, comfortable and safe option.

Instead, we should be thinking about which way will grow as a person or which version will slow us down each week. We probably know, deep down, the answer to that question, if we have the courage to ask.

Burkeman’s advice:

“Choose an uncomfortable expansion rather than a comfortable contraction.”

Yes, sometimes chasing the “awkward spread” doesn’t lead to songwriting deals or successful business. I chose the uncomfortable path and sometimes things don’t work out. But that’s part of the process and at least it avoids unhealthy regrets!

Which brings me to today’s mission.

Let’s agree with convenience

By 2025, let’s chase the awkward expansion.

• When we strengthen By lifting heavier and heavier weights, we force our muscles to become uncomfortable – they respond by growing and adapting.
• If we use food as a coping mechanism When we’re sad or angry or bored, it’s uncomfortable to disconnect from our relationship with food.
• When we have uncomfortable conversations We can finally strengthen our relationship or stand up for things that are important to us.

In 2025, let’s ask the question:

Where and when do you feel comfortable and safe in your life? Deep down Did you know that the “uncomfortable expansion” method is really what you need to help you grow and get what you want?

You may not need to quit your job right away or move on to a new goal or change…

But it might be worth asking yourself that uncomfortable question.

Life is hard, and change is hard.

Inconvenient.

Terrible.

Chaos

But if you’re willing to say no to comfort, it might be exactly what you’re looking for.

– Steve

PS: .We are running a free 5 day workshop.. For those looking to build new habits that will stick in 2025, it starts in just a few days!