Digging Deep and Pushing Forward
I was reading The Way of the SEAL by Mark Divine today. Tons of great takeaways, but one really hit home: pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone.
Let’s be honest—humans love habits. We’re practically programmed to stick with what’s easy, convenient, and comfortable. That’s great for ordering takeout or watching the same Netflix show on repeat—but not so great for personal growth.
Getting too comfortable can quietly trap you in a rut. It stunts your potential, locks you into bad routines, or worse—makes you settle for a life that’s “just okay.”
I truly believe that no matter where you are in life, there’s always room to grow. As a Chinese saying goes:
“Live till you’re old, learn till you’re old.”
(Or in modern terms: lifelong learning > lifelong lounging.)
Yes, growth is uncomfortable. But that’s why it works. That’s when we have to dig deep.
You’ve heard it before: “No pain, no gain.” Mark Divine, a former Navy SEAL, shares stories from his training that sound like something straight out of an action movie… but with way more sand and shouting. Still, through it all, he learned to calm his mind and push through. And if it works for SEALs crawling through freezing mud for fun, maybe there’s something to it.
The truth is—it’s hard, not impossible.
Our minds are incredibly powerful. With the right mindset, we can endure far more than we imagine. When things get tough, finding the joy—or at least the purpose—in what you’re doing can make all the difference.
Look at elite athletes. They train relentlessly. But when they’re in the zone? They say things like:
“We just went out there and played our game.”
“We just had fun.”
That mindset—being fully present, enjoying the process—is what helps them perform at their best.
For me, one of my “happy places” is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Being blind limits what I can do in many sports, but on the mats? I feel free. For those few minutes, I’m not thinking about bills, stress, or anything else. I’m just rolling, learning, flowing. No distractions—just focus. And that, my friends, is the zone.
That’s how I want to take on life.
Whether it’s work, school, or parenting—I want to show up, dig deep, push forward… and crush it. I want to learn from my mistakes, grow a little every day, and keep stretching that comfort zone. Not because it’s easy—but because it’s worth it.
So, let’s challenge ourselves.
Shake things up a bit:
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Try a cold shower (yep, they’re brutal but oddly energizing).
- Visit a new restaurant instead of the usual spot.
- Say hi to a stranger—who knows, they might be awesome.
Each small step outside your comfort zone is a step into a bigger, bolder version of you.
We’re all capable of more than we think. So don’t wait for the perfect moment.
Get in the zone, dig deep, and push forward.
Blind Can You Can 