I like to learn new things. I think learning new things is fun and keeps me on my toes personally and professionally. I started a routine several years ago where I would block out some time each morning and then a longer block on Saturdays for reading some blog posts, subscription emails, maybe a book, and then writing in a journal. This time has proven crucial for my growth and in the end, great for my mental health.
So, I was thinking this week, ‘Why not share these new things I learn during my AM ritual?’
Well, here is the first one!
“Don’t let the fear of discomfort be the thing that holds you back. Make friends with the Pain Cave, become familiar with yourself in there.”
Josh Crosby, Trainer, Coach, and Apple Fitness Rowing
I forgot to mention that I do work out first before anything else in the AM… This started about 3 weeks ago as I was having a hard time finding the mental fortitude to work out after a long workday.. so I moved the workout to the AM…
Anyway – I was working out in the morning, on the rower, Apple Fitness queued on the TV in front of me, and Coach Josh was pushing me to row harder.
Well, the rowing coach was telling me in a strong tone to move my rowing to another level and referenced the ‘pain cave’.
As the sweat was pouring, breathing labored, I was wondering.. what’s this pain cave thing he is referencing?
So, after my workout was finished, I went to his website and found the quote above. That made me think more about what my pain cave would be. When was I the most challenged in my life, had to get comfortable with it, and then push through?
Well, that’s easy!
Being Stuck in the Grand Canyon during the R2R challenge last year. It is pitch black, nature coming alive around us, all you can see is the light of stars above showing the faint edge of the North Rim above with 3 miles and 1000s of feet in elevation more to go in the ascent, exhausted, demoralized from setbacks, 17 hours in, and unsure of how to get out except gritting through one switchback at a time.
That is my pain cave. Well, the historical/physical embodiment of it.
My Pain Cave…
So, when I read the quote from Coach Josh’s website and considered the concept of making friends with the pain cave. I have been in the depths of the pain cave, but making friends with it? I could see the value in it as the coach was applying the meaning. When faced with that physical or mental barrier that you think is too much, then you can dig deep, but then even more important is the consideration of what that struggle is truly teaching you about who you really are.
It made me think of how this applies professionally.
We have all been through professional challenges. Bad bosses, toxic cultures, client crises, major changes, layoffs, outages of key tools, and loss of a critical person. When we are faced with these or other challenges, do we shirk away or do we dig deep? I have for the most part tried to dig deep, but did I really embrace the challenge? Did I look the pain in the eye and make friends with it? Did I truly take a humble approach and become familiar with myself in there or did I try to get out as soon as possible?
I know the answer. I got out of there as soon as possible through quick action, teamwork, and or deciding to abort.
I have conquered many challenges, but truly never considered the lessons learned from the moments when the struggle is real. I have always pushed through them asap and thought about lessons learned after the heat was off. I think this is normal, but from now on, whether on the rower, treadmill, or at work in the midst of a major challenge, I will be looking at who I am in the moment of struggle and I will be making friends with this version of me and asking… what else is holding me back and who am I really in this moment?
I know that my pain cave, on the north rim, is pitch black, wondering how I got here and then realizing that I need to move and keep moving because that is who I am. Now when I am faced with any challenge, I think back to this pain cave and realize, I can conquer anything with enough time and perseverance. Looking back after learning from Coach Josh, I do wish I would have become friends with it and peered a little deeper, but when you are there, in the cave, it’s dark and sometimes you just need to respect it, understand it, and move.
Jason A. Belt 