I first learned this lesson while cycling 200 miles per week. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was more mentally healthy during that time than at any other time. However, I was not balanced at that time.
But I did hard things every day. I set goals to do hard things every day and I succeeded at doing them daily.
Taking risks is important and doing difficult things allows me to test my boundaries.
Most of my boundaries are ones I’ve set for myself. They aren’t real limits. They are false ones I’ve imposed on my progress.
I never thought I’d write computer code for a living. I never thought I’d enjoy it. But I was challenged to do it, and I’ve stretched.
I never thought I could ride 100 miles at a time, but I did it multiple times that summer. And once within a month of starting to ride.
I never thought I’d conquer Cat 1 climbs followed by HC climbs. But I did. Over and over again.
When I choose to do difficult things, I am rewarded by realizing I’m not as limited as I thought.
Choose to do things more difficult than you think you can handle. You’ll struggle, but have no regrets.