Challenges. They can range from as small as finding the strength to get out of bed in the morning, to as large as finding the courage to go after everything you want in life, regardless of the sacrifices. Either way, we seem to dread challenges that take us out of our comfort zone and make us put in a new type of effort that we are not familiar with. I have been putting a lot of thought into the idea of challenges, and these are my thoughts.

There are two types of challenges:

1. Comfortable Challenges:

We are faced with a challenge, but it is one that excites us, or perhaps, doesn't hold very much significance whether we win or lose. We are confident in our abilities, and we believe it is easily attainable to succeed. We do not back down from accepting it, and we find it easy to go forth and take it on. It still tests our abilities, but we are ready and willing to let it because of its context. Example: An undefeated boxer is going to be fighting another fight in a few weeks. While it will be a challenge to take this fight, the boxer is undefeated and confident in his/her abilities. He/she does not shy away from the competition, because this is something they do very good and they are prepared and ready to do it.

2. Uncomfortable Challenges:

These are the challenges we usually are forced to take on. They take us out of our comfort zone, and scare us. They make us question our readiness and capabilities, and make it extremely hard to approach with confidence. Our minds can sometimes overestimate these types of challenges, and make them out to be much worse than they actually are. We find a lack of self esteem when we take them on, and they seem to be much larger, and have much more of an impact on our lives. Example: A woman is unexpectedly forced to move to another state, in an unfamiliar area, because of work. Not only is this is a major step in this woman's life, but it puts her in an unforeseen position that complicates not only her current situation, but it leaves her unsure of the future. It is a challenge that greatly takes her out of her comfort zone.

When thinking about challenges, I realized one common thing. Whether they are comfortable challenges, or uncomfortable, they usually end in change. Succeeding, or failing, change always seems to follow a similar, simple pattern. For the bigger challenges in our lives, we seem to see bigger change. It is not only physical change, like the woman in the example living in a whole new place, but it is mainly mental. Change of mindset, a new feeling of life. We grow and we learn from them. No matter what the outcome was from the challenge itself, we are guaranteed change.

We need to develop this type of mindset. Not to look at struggles and challenges as a win/lose situation, but as an opportunity for wisdom and knowledge. Trying our best to win and succeed is great, but becoming so reliant on that can also break us down. It is imperative to see challenges this way, and to evolve ourselves into taking on all challenges, as comfortable ones, with confidence and assurance. Preparation is key, but do not forget, our minds have tremendous powers to adapt.

I challenge all of you today, to not shy away from a challenge that takes you out of your comfort zone. We may feel as though we succeeded by staying away, but growth and ultimate success can never be attained from the background where we are always comfortable. See each challenge not as a chance to win or lose, but as a chance to learn and evolve on your journey through life.

Study anomalies and illuminate the future creatively. Speculate. Investigate. And when it comes to you, never underestimate.