ESSENTIAL SKILLS COMPANION CARD

Becoming comfortable in your discomfort kuhmf-tuh-buhl comfortable being in a state of physical or mental comfort; contented and undisturbed; at ease dis-kuhm-fert discomfort an absence of comfort or ease; uneasiness, hardship, or mild pain FUTURE SKILLS RELATED ESSENTIAL SKILLS: Embrace Your Mistakes, Patience, Courage, Forgiveness, Compassion, Determination, Understanding, Perseverance VIDEO: Comfortable with Discomfort http://tiny.cc discomfort Try It: BEFORE YOU BEGIN: • Remember, just start. Start small, take small bites. Half the battle is showing up and starting. • How do you eat an elephant? If you were going to actually eat an elephant, which you wouldn’t. But how would you do it? One bite at a time. • Do you feel uncomfortable, do you know why, where in your body do you feel this feeling? • Do you notice anyone else in your group that seems uncomfortable? Talk to them and maybe you can help them. WHILE YOU WORK: • Keep going, one more step, one more bite, one more task. • Look back at how you have made progress. • Are you feeling more calm? Notice how you are moving through the task at hand. • Can you give positive feedback to your team and tell them to keep up the good work? WHEN YOU ARE DONE: • Acknowledge that you finished, look back at what you did and congratulate yourself. Thank yourself for taking a risk and thank anyone who helped you along. • Take mental notes about what else you can try that makes you uncomfortable, how can you use this experience to help the next time you are uneasy. • What did you enjoy about the experience? • Can you use this experience to help someone else? Extend It: Read the quote below and think about how you can challenge yourself with discomfort. When I am uncomfortable, I try to acknowledge that I feel uneasy, take a deep breath, and remember it is okay to feel awkward, embarrassed, or shy. I then try to name the feeling I am feeling and what I am scared of. I usually feel uncomfortable when I have to do something new and I am scared to make a mistake. Once I name my fear I can move forward by making a plan and moving forward. I remember that this moment will pass. — Ambrette Gilkey