Get comfortable with the uncomfortable…
In a podcast I was editing this week, the guest made a statement that really stood out to me. While I don’t recall the exact wording, it was something along the lines of “get comfortable with the uncomfortable.” If I recall correctly, the person was referring to something along the lines of embracing that last 5% of a job or project that is the most uncomfortable part of the job until it’s completed.
While that’s a good way of thinking, it got me to thinking in more abstract terms about comfortable v. uncomfortable. And since America’s founding is on our minds this week, I thought I would use this occasion to deep dive a bit into some of the psychology of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and those who advocated for seceding from Great Britain.
An oft-overlooked portion of the DOI (isn’t the entire thing overlooked these days? but I digress) is the final sentence which reads: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”
What is interesting about this is that seceding from Great Britain was not a very popular idea in this part of the world during that era. Most folks were content to be British citizens, abiding by British law, albeit creating a new society on this side of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s safe to say that the signers of the DOI alienated themselves from their neighbors almost as much as from the British aristocracy, both in America and in England.
In that context, we can better understand the significance of that statement, “we mutually pledge to each other…” Maybe there will be a movie titled 56, in the spirit of 300, which tells the stories of the signers of the document. It really was 56 men vs. the world. Or maybe 56 men and a precious few supporters vs. the world. I’ve heard it was around 1% of Americans who were in favor of seceding, to the point they were willing to sacrifice everything for what they believed. That’s not a whole lot of people, so it’s amazing to think they were successful in getting enough public support for secession.
What I’m getting at is that those 56 men, and the small number of devoted supporters, had to be comfortable with the uncomfortable, for a really long time. For years prior to the Declaration being written, and probably to their deaths, they walked around with targets on their backs.
“He’s responsible for this American atrocity. God save the king!
“That man has blood on his hands for starting that war where I lost my father.”
“I lost millions after the war. I used to own 30,000 acres in Kentucky, now I’m broke. Curse those people!”
It’s a lot to have on your conscience. One must be really devoted to a cause knowing they’re going to face that type of criticism for the rest of their lives. So think about that next time you put ketchup on your hot dog which signifies the blood of fallen American warriors.
Just kidding.
Whether starting a business, getting a driver’s license, or severing political ties from a major world power, we must be ready to embrace that which most people regard as uncomfortable. I began a new podcast this year where I get to talk to folks from a wide array of backgrounds, professions, beliefs, and who know a thing or two about being comfortable with the uncomfortable.
It’s called This Is What We C.R.A.V.E. and although it’s not a major world power as far as podcasts go, there’s been a lot of great content put out on it.
I invite you to give an episode a listen, and click the “subscribe” button if you like what you hear: