{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":300,"width":600,"title":"Do hard things","description":"The Habit of Doing Hard Things I appreciate the irony. Do hard things, move to the Caribbean! And while most of us probably aren\u2019t going to move to a tiny island in order to make our lives more difficult, there are a lot of simple habits that can help. Identify One Thing  Every Day That Scares You Identify something that scares you. Notice someone you are intimidated by.  Recognize a moment when you avoided speaking up. Identify one moment in your day when you feel physically nervous or afraid. You don\u2019t need to take action \u2013 not yet! Just bring attention to one uncomfortable moment.  Start with awareness. A Daily Movement Practice There is a lot to be said for daily exercise.  Exercise is hard. When you push your physical limits, you get better at pushing the boundaries of what\u2019s possible everywhere else in your life, too. Unfortunately, more than two thirds of Americans are overweight or obese, so clearly pressuring people to exercise does work for everyone. My approach to movement is different. Having broken my neck and then gone on to perform in the circus, I also know the consequences of pressure. Instead, I make a habit of moving every day to build the confidence that I can learn new things. If you\u2019re interested, here\u2019s a short video about my movement practice. Coffee Shop Challenge (h\/t Tim Ferriss) Try this challenge: go to your local coffee shop and ask for a 20% discount.  The rules are that you are not allowed to give any explanation for why you are requesting a discount or any additional details alongside your request. If asked, \u201cWhy?\u201d just say that you would like a discount and that is why you are asking.  The point of this exercise is that you are going to be uncomfortable. It will take you outside of your comfort zone.  Notice how it feels to make this request. Notice the tension in your body and  your voice. It doesn\u2019t ultimately matter if you get a discount or not, so long as you try.  As a former coffee shop owner, please give that 20% back to your barista as a tip!   Do Something Difficult Every Day Do one thing today that is out of your comfort zone. It could be as small as a short exchange with a stranger, a much-needed conversation, or advocating for your opinion. Thank someone in their native language - If you first have to learn to say \u201cthank you\u201d in a language you don\u2019t speak, all the better. Have a conversation with your spouse or a friend - You probably have something that you\u2019ve been meaning to share, but haven\u2019t gotten around to saying yet. Say it! Try to persuade someone of something - We are all selling to and inviting each other constantly. Advocate for your preferred restaurant or movie. When my friends first moved to Vieques, I was skeptical. I\u2019m all for beautiful ocean views, but it was so remote and isolated. (And the hurricanes!) Now that I\u2019ve spent a month living in that remote paradise, I understand their motivation a little better.  Living there is difficult. Every day is a stretch. And that\u2019s the point! In a world where I \u2013 and probably you \u2013 enjoy every other modern convenience, it is easy to get complacent.  Perhaps, we could all use a bit more discomfort in our lives.   ","author_name":"Snafu w\/ Robin Zander","author_url":"http:\/\/www.robinpzander.com\/","html":"