9/1/21, 2:59 AM Is comfort the enemy of progress? Here's my experience.

Ben Lord

Is comfort the enemy of progress? Here's my

experience.
Ben Lord
Communications at NCR | Enterprise Technology | Striving to convey big ideas
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with simple sentences
Published May 8, 2018

"Ah comfort - the enemy of progress."

This line resonated with me more than anything else in The Greatest Showman. This is
how P.T. Barnum disdainfully responded to Phillip Carlyle when Carlyle noted the
comfort and security of his cushy job. 

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9/1/21, 2:59 AM Is comfort the enemy of progress? Here's my experience.

Looking back at my own experiences, I can see that my biggest

Ben Lord
periods of growth have stemmed from challenging, nerve-
wracking experiences that were anything but comfortable.

Like a lot of kids, I was painfully shy in Elementary School. However, my 4-H agent
convinced me, at the age of nine, to give my first speech. I prepared and presented a six
minute speech in the Dog Care & Training category. I wound up earning first place that
day, and it was the beginning of a new mindset for me. I started believing in myself!

This one small victory put me on a path to leadership in 4-H. I repeatedly found myself
doing things that scared me, and I loved it! There were wins, but there were also plenty of
humbling losses. I grew from each experience regardless of the outcome! Seven years
after that first speech, I found myself serving as State 4-H President, addressing the
Georgia Legislature on behalf of 175,000 GA 4-H'ers.

I just wrapped up my freshman year at Berry College, and I am beginning a job as Student
Director of Berry's Student Enterprise Program. I almost didn't interview for the
job. I had all kinds of reservations:

What if I don't get it? Won't that be embarrassing?

If I do get it, what if I don't measure up?

Am I comfortable with the level of responsibility I would be carrying?

Wouldn't I be more comfortable with the job I have now?

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9/1/21, 2:59 AM Is comfort the enemy of progress? Here's my experience.

Despite all of my previous experiences, my attraction to comfort was still threatening my

Ben Lord
progress. I eventually realized this and decided to pursue the job. The takeaway: Comfort
is dangerous. Complacency can inhibit our ability to propel ourselves to new
heights and unlock our full potential.

My hope for myself is that I can always relish a chance to step outside my comfort zone
and continually strive to make the best better in all walks of life. I hope the same for you.
Next time you're about to pass up an opportunity because it makes you uncomfortable,
remember that comfort is the enemy of progress.

19 ·
3 Comments

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Nelda Bryant

3y
NeldaBen! This is an excellent article and very well written! I know that you will also do a great job as
Bryant
you go further in this new position, there at Berry College!

Thanks so much for sharing this with us...

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1 Like

Robin Holt, MBA, MSML

3y
RobinExcellent!

Holt, Like
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MBA,
MSML

Rufus Massey

3y
RufusChallenge the comfort zone daily...

Massey
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