Is The Discomfort I Feel Productive Or Destructive?

Being uncomfortable is part of life and part of leadership.

You can’t learn new things, face your own anxieties, or challenge systemic injustices without feeling uncomfortable. But discomfort can also be a sign that something isn’t working, that a situation or relationship has run its course, or that you need some time to recuperate. So how do you know which is which?

“Navigating discomfort is challenging in its own right, and the challenge is compounded by your commitment to being a person who does hard things, shows up, and doesn’t shy away. There are strong narratives around discomfort in social impact spaces that can make it difficult to discern what type of discomfort you’re experiencing.”

– Do Your Part: Bold, Sustainable Leadership for Social Impact Leaders in a Time of Polycrisis

You have probably heard the phrase "get comfortable being uncomfortable." You take that seriously. When things get hard, you default to pushing through, because if it's hard it must be worth doing.

Right?

Sometimes…

Not all discomfort is the same. Some discomfort is productive. It signals growth, learning, and the necessary work of confronting oppression. Some discomfort is destructive. It signals exploitation, depletion, and harm. Building discernment to tell the difference is a skill.

The thing is that social justice work isn’t a straight line, it comes with many twists and turns. We need to lean into discomfort and do hard things to build a just world. But it is not sustainable to be in a constant state of stretching. We also need to soothe ourselves and return to safety.

When facing a challenging situation, ask yourself: “When I look back on a year from now, will this have expanded my capacity?”

Your answer will help you to determine whether the discomfort you’re experiencing is productive or destructive. And from there you can make a clear eyed decision about what you want to do next.

Think of a time when you experienced productive discomfort. What was that like? Now think of a time when you experienced destructive discomfort. How did you know the difference?

Do Your Part publishes June 15th.