Chapter 38 Stretch

Development comes when you reach out and stretch yourself. It's a product of moving to the edge of your comfort zone and talking yourself a little beyond the point of resistance. It's about facing and overcoming challenges. When you reach for new heights and develop new skills you're more likely to feel satisfied with life But don't stretch your limits words, forget: no pain, no gain. And remember: no discomfort, no development.

In karate, a lot of the combinations and drills wouldn't be much piratical use in a real fight. but they act as limit-pushing exercise that develop flexibility, strength, balance and coordination - all the stuff that would be useful in combat. You see, when we train in this way we learn to tolerate discomfort. And we develop the will to move into it. It's the only way to improve. It's the same in life. It's at the edge of your comfort zone that you find the next level in your development. So if anything makes you feel uncomfortable, take a close look at it. It's your gateway to a more satisfying life.

Understand: we all need to experience discomfort to develop, so set challenging goals. There's not much fun playing a game you can easily win. When you have to stretch to succeed you get a sense of satisfaction from the achievement. So set targets that take you out of your comfort zone. Reach for new heights. Develop new skills. It'll make you feel more alive fulfilled.

There is a tendency for all of us to stay comfortable, both physically and mentally, But when we're comfortable we become stiff. We resist change. We learn nothing new, and we don't grow. So stretch everyday both physically and mentally. Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable.

When we're comfortable we become stiff. We resist change. We learn nothing new, and we don't grow.


Try this: stand next to a wall, keep your feet flat on the ground, and with a straight arm see how far you can stretch upward. Now once you get to your limit go for and extra one per cent. See if you have a little further. Most people can. We always have a little extra we can give even when we're at the edge of our limits.