I take the point – but I don’t think discomfort really is a virtue. With the right mind set – many of the feelings you describe aren’t really discomfort – I like to substitute, “effort”, “discipline” or “persistence”. Now all those are virtues.

Hey Jacob
Read your article on discomfort then headed over to the Wall Street Journal this morning and found something similar.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123785033607519075.html

Very interesting.

Best post yet! Sort of like “the Frog” part 2, but more broadly reaching.

I really disagree that discomfort is a virtue. People do wrongly try to avoid discomfort which will limit them, but discomfort as a virtue?

I prefer to look at this comfort/discomfort issue is the same light that Helgi Páll Einarsson’s post bring up.

The basic premise of the post is that people will seek external comfort as a substitute for inner peace.

http://everydaywonderland.com/notes/your-own-comfort

Discomfort is similar to being nervous. We are nervous, because we want to do well. Discomfort means we need to overcome an uncomfortable moment to excel, achieve or succeed!

no pain no gain!!!

Discomfort is not a virtue.

Being able to endure discomofort in pursuit of a value is a virtue.

And discomfort only makes sense if its positive outcome prevails over the negative one. Otherwise it’s called masochism (which can be a kind of comfort as well…)

The same type of discomfort (in pursuit of the same value) can give positive or negative balance depending on the individual.

(of course there’s an issue of timeframe within which we make the measurement, but acute discomfort can only last as much, if it is to last longer we must be able adapt, so it becomes less acute, but we may not be able, there is some limit to your mental capacities at a time)

On the issue of food, I have been pondering this recently, because it is obvious to me that the typical American doesn’t need as much food as they eat, but there is also the reality of starvation or mal nutrition at the other extreme. So, I wonder what the optimal diet, quantity and frequency for eating is in order to achieve the best health. It is tricky to know how much to eat for optimal function and health.

Interesting Jacob,
It is near impossible for me to talk about this without involving spirituality and religion in some form or another.

You’ve managed to be coherent on this topic, without touching on those aspects. Commendable!

Just got back from jogging for the first time in over a month.

If discomfort is virtue, I must be a saint! 😀

Good tidbits of wisdom, Jacob!
I’ll add a couple of my own:

– without discomfort, you don’t know if you’ve slept too much;
– without discomfort, you don’t know if you’ve had enough to eat! 🙂

Great article. Especially since I was feeling discomfort today in my lean six sigma training. It was very daunting training and I’m not sure if I’ll make it through. But I have to.

[…] The Virtue of Discomfort – Jacob Lund […]

Good points. I see a lot of unwillingness to face even the slightest discomfort in my work in energy efficiency. I still am surprised by how many low-income people will use AC even in times such as this summer which has been very cool here. They run up their bills which they can ill afford due to unwillingness to maybe be a tad hot or sweaty. Same with heating.

I’m wondering if perhaps having the fortitude and determination to be willing to experience some discomfort is linked to ability to plan and sacrifice for future goals? Those who only think short-term are quick to reach for the AC button or the thermostat rather than give themselves a chance to adjust? Same with eating food that is unhealthy or too much of it, or unwillingness to exert oneself and exercise.

This would explain why those able to plan, put off rewards, maintain good impulse control, etc. would be more likely to achieve more financial success.