Battling Your Mind: Embracing Discomfort to Forge Strength
I always feel this odd separation from my own mind and self when it comes to doing what I know I should be doing but I just can’t seem to start or make any gains. In the journey of self-improvement, our greatest adversary is not the external world or the obstacles it throws at us—it is our own mind. The human brain is a master strategist when it comes to avoiding discomfort. It whispers rationalizations, crafts excuses, and convinces us that there is always tomorrow. Yet, every time we give in to this inner saboteur, we trade progress for temporary ease. To truly grow, we must learn to battle our minds and do the work, even when every fiber of our being seeks to avoid it. History and popular culture are rife with examples of individuals who embraced discomfort and emerged stronger for it. Their stories teach us that greatness lies not in avoiding challenges but in facing them head-on.
Alexander the Great: Cold Water and Shared Hardship
Alexander the Great, one of history’s most legendary leaders, understood the necessity of enduring hardship for the sake of greatness. During his campaigns, Alexander was known for leading by example, often refusing comforts his men could not share. One particularly famous episode occurred during the grueling march through the Gedrosian Desert. With water scarce and his army on the brink of collapse, a soldier offered Alexander a helmet filled with the precious liquid. Alexander, understanding the power of symbolism, poured the water onto the ground in front of his men. By sharing their suffering, he inspired loyalty and perseverance.
But Alexander’s commitment to pushing his limits extended beyond the battlefield. Historical accounts suggest that he engaged in practices that challenged his body and mind, including cold water immersion. Ancient Macedonian soldiers were no strangers to cold water dips, which were believed to harden the body and sharpen the spirit. For Alexander, such practices were not just about physical endurance but also about cultivating mental resilience. He knew that leading an empire required more than strategy; it demanded the ability to conquer the mind’s desire for comfort.
Theodore Roosevelt: The Strenuous Life
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, embodied the philosophy of doing hard things. Born a sickly child with severe asthma, young Roosevelt could have easily resigned himself to a life of fragility. Instead, he made a conscious decision to battle his weaknesses. With the encouragement of his father, Roosevelt embraced rigorous physical activity—boxing, weightlifting, hiking, and horseback riding—to transform his body and mind.
Roosevelt’s philosophy, which he termed "The Strenuous Life," was a call to action for all who sought to achieve greatness. He believed that a life of effort, toil, and challenge was far more fulfilling than one of ease and comfort. In a famous speech, he proclaimed:
"I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife; to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph."
For Roosevelt, battling the mind was not an occasional endeavor but a daily commitment. He sought out challenges—physical, intellectual, and emotional—to ensure that he remained sharp and capable. Even as president, he continued to engage in strenuous activities, from hunting expeditions to river rafting adventures. Roosevelt’s life serves as a reminder that the path to greatness is paved with effort and that the only way to overcome the mind’s resistance is to confront it head-on.
Fridtjof Nansen: Conquering the Arctic and the Mind
Fridtjof Nansen, a Norwegian explorer, scientist, and Nobel laureate, exemplified the power of mental fortitude. In 1893, he embarked on an ambitious mission to reach the North Pole aboard his ship, the Fram. When it became clear that the ship would not carry him to his destination, Nansen and one companion left the crew and set out on foot and by sled, facing brutal Arctic conditions. Although they did not reach the pole, they achieved the furthest north latitude of their time and returned safely, a testament to their perseverance and resilience.
Nansen’s success was not solely due to his physical preparation but also his ability to master his mind. He once wrote, "The difficult is what takes a little time; the impossible is what takes a little longer." His willingness to embrace discomfort and persist in the face of overwhelming odds underscores the importance of mental discipline. Nansen’s legacy reminds us that the greatest journeys begin with a decision to face the unknown and endure.
Why the Mind Resists
The human brain is wired for survival, not excellence. Our evolutionary ancestors relied on conserving energy to survive in environments where food and resources were scarce. This "energy-conservation bias" still influences our behavior today, leading us to avoid activities that require effort, even when they’re in our best interest.
Psychologists call this phenomenon "self-handicapping," where we create barriers to our own success to avoid the possibility of failure. For example, procrastination allows us to blame external factors—a lack of time or resources—instead of admitting that we’re afraid of falling short. The mind’s resistance is a defense mechanism, but it’s one that ultimately holds us back.
Strategies to Battle the Mind
While the mind’s resistance is formidable, it is not insurmountable. Here are some practical strategies to help you do the work, even when you don’t feel like it:
Start Small: Break tasks into manageable chunks. If the thought of a full workout overwhelms you, commit to just five minutes. Once you start, momentum often carries you forward.
Create Rituals: Establish routines that signal your brain it’s time to work. For example, putting on your workout clothes can be a cue to start exercising.
Leverage Accountability: Share your goals with others and enlist their support. Knowing that someone else is watching can be a powerful motivator.
Use Visualization: Imagine the satisfaction of completing the task and the long-term benefits it will bring. Visualization can help shift your focus from immediate discomfort to future rewards.
(Optional) Practice Stoicism: Embrace the Stoic philosophy of focusing on what you can control and accepting what you cannot. As Marcus Aurelius wrote, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." Stoicism isn’t for everyone but it can help at times when you need that iron will.
(Optional) Adopt a Mantra: Use phrases like "Just do it," "One more rep," or "This too shall pass" to override the mind’s excuses. These can be corny but they do work.
The Call to Action
Every great achievement in history has been the result of individuals who chose to battle their minds and do the work. From Alexander the Great’s cold water dips to Theodore Roosevelt’s strenuous life and Fridtjof Nansen’s Arctic exploration, the message is clear: Comfort is the enemy of progress.
The next time your mind tries to weasel out of a challenge, remember these examples. Pour out the water like Alexander, embrace the strenuous life like Roosevelt, and face the impossible like Nansen. The path to greatness is not easy, but it is worth it. Do the work. Your future self will thank you.