Comfort is the Enemy of Ambition...
The second chapter of INTENTION: Unlocking the Lifeforce Inside High-Performing Entrepreneurs is called Discomfort. In this chapter, you’ll discover how discomfort isn’t a roadblock—it’s a signal. It’s often the hidden force pushing entrepreneurs toward innovation, self-mastery, and long-term growth.
What’s your entrepreneurial superpower?
Entrepreneurs are not one-size-fits-all. Some thrive on vision. Some excel in execution. Some build empires with relentless energy. Some create impact through deep focus and reflection. The best ones? They know their entrepreneurial superpower—and they use it intentionally and to their advantage.
Entrepreneurs think differently. It’s not a flaw—it’s a superpower. INTENTION explores how neurodiverse traits like creativity, hyperfocus, and risk tolerance fuel high-performance entrepreneurs.
“Richard Branson credits dyslexia for his ability to simplify complex ideas. Daymond John says ADHD fuels his creative problem-solving. What’s your entrepreneurial superpower? The best leaders don’t just ‘manage’ their traits—they leverage them.”
The most successful entrepreneurs don’t waste time trying to be someone they’re not. They double down on what makes them unique. INTENTION explores how recognizing and harnessing your true strengths—especially the ones shaped in discomfort—can be your greatest competitive advantage.
We hope you'll enjoy getting a sneak peek at the introduction to Discomfort below.
Chapter Two: Discomfort
“Compared with what we ought to be, we are only half-awake. Our fires are damped, our drafts are checked. We are making use of only a small part of our possible mental and physical resources.”
—William James
Discomfort is an inevitable aspect of personal growth; and curiously it is also one of the most misunderstood aspects of the entrepreneur’s journey. While instinct may motivate us to avoid discomfort, successful entrepreneurs learn to embrace it—some seek it—as a catalyst for transformation. This chapter explores how discomfort fosters resilience, innovation, and personal development.
For entrepreneurs, discomfort often reveals itself in the loneliness of leadership, the weight of responsibility, and the emotional toll of navigating uncertainty. Building and running a privately held company isn’t just about professional work—it demands profound personal work, too. The pain of growth, the realization of how hard it is to stay the course, and the courage to face your fears are all intrinsic to the entrepreneurial path. And while it’s challenging, the rewards—both internal and external—are worth it.
Research in Positive Psychology, like Dr. Angela Duckworth’s work on Grit, demonstrates that perseverance and passion for long-term goals are key predictors of success. Discomfort often arises from failure, rejection, and risk-taking—all integral elements of entrepreneurship. Rather than viewing discomfort as an obstacle or something that they must merely tolerate, high-performing entrepreneurs reframe it as a teacher, offering opportunities to develop new skills, challenge assumptions, and uncover hidden strengths.
This chapter also explores the emotional aspects of entrepreneurship—how understanding and accepting the difficulty of the journey can pay enormous dividends. Embracing discomfort isn’t about chasing pain for its own sake; it’s about recognizing that the moments of greatest challenge often lead to the most meaningful breakthroughs. It also features two personal essays that offer a direct line of sight into some of the habits and routines I’ve developed as an entrepreneur—practices that, while hard work, are necessary for thriving in this unique role. These essays, “Morning Routine: A Way of Being More Alive?” and “Not to Prescribe but Describe: Ready to Try Something New?” demonstrate how intentional, often uncomfortable choices can help entrepreneurs maintain focus, clarity, and resilience.
Discomfort provides immediately useful strategies for cultivating a mindset that sees discomfort as an ally, as an inspiration. Drawing on the Socratic method, it presents questions designed to help entrepreneurs examine their fears, challenge assumptions, and identify areas for growth. Discomfort is an unavoidable companion on the entrepreneurial journey but understanding that and embracing discomfort is not about seeking pain. It is recognizing that the moments of greatest challenge most often lead to the most significant breakthroughs—both personally and professionally.
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