3 Tips for How to Embrace a Challenge
I don’t know about you, but I’m a girl who needs some help with embracing a challenge. Jack, my husband, is the kind of guy who loves understanding how something works. He likes learning about cars and what makes one run better than the other. He enjoys watching how something is made and then seeing if he can make it himself. He is particular about following a recipe because he enjoys seeing how everything comes together at the end. He is disciplined about pushing himself when working out. He focuses on the process of just about everything he does.
I, on the other hand, am all about the end product. Just give me a cute car that runs well and I’m set. Sometimes it is cool to see how something works, but like…I don’t need to make it myself. As far as cooking goes, I’ll take the easiest recipe with the least amount of ingredients that takes the shortest amount of time to make. Or I’ll just do take out. Working out? I’ve had my collegiate career. If I even work out at all, I’m more of a “20 minute elliptical, five minute abs and call it a day” kinda gal. I’m much more interested in getting to the end result of everything I do than I am about challenging myself and pushing myself through the process. I just want to get there, or be good at things, or eat my meal yuh know? However, I didn’t realize until being married to Jack how much I’m missing out on when I choose to take the easy way out.
It’s not that I don’t work hard at the things I do. It’s the way I work hard that I think makes me so different from Jack. Jack pays attention to details. He does extra research on the things he enjoys like cars and brewing and cooking and skiing. He attempts complicated tasks because the experience sounds awesome. Jack loves a challenge. I focus on the big picture. I do the bare minimum that I need to to succeed at something. I don’t go out of my way to learn new things. I only attempt tasks that I know I can accomplish. I am fearful of being challenged.
Being married to Jack has put me in situations that have pushed me out of my comfort zone. It has been terrifying for me, and yet so rewarding. I’ve been learning to attempt those complicated tasks. I’ve been trying to take my time more, and focus on the process. I’ve been gaining patience through perseverance. Something I didn’t expect? The satisfaction of being able to look at something and say “I made that;” or “I climbed that;” or more recently for me: “I cooked that!” It makes me think of this scripture:
Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.
Romans 5:3-4
It’s important to challenge ourselves because it builds our character. I can definitely attest to that. I feel like I have grown SO MUCH since being encouraged by my spouse to take risks and try new things. He is helping me to learn to love the challenges that come my way (or sometimes to chase the challenges), and through that helping me to become a woman of noble character. I’m not there yet, but that’s the goal isn’t it- to be a woman of noble character? At least it is for me. I’m grateful for a husband who is helping me to get there without even realizing he’s doing it.
Here are three tips for you when it comes to embracing a challenge:
- Feel the fear, and do it anyway.
- Remind yourself it is going to be hard, and that is okay.
- Find gratitude in each step of the process.
Who do you have in your life that helps you to embrace the challenges you face? I’d love to hear more about what you’re learning on your journey. If you need any help I’m only a phone call away.
Peace, love, and embracing the challenge,
Hala
