Why Is Challenge Important In Life (And The 5 Best Challenges!)
When you ask somebody about an ideal life, here’s the typical response:
“Sipping cocktails on the beach without a worry in the world!”
This may sound fun, but it’s also unfulfilling.
If you woke up every day and lived a lifestyle completely void of stress, you would be very unhappy.
You need challenges to stimulate the brain.
This article explains why challenges are important. You will also learn about 5 challenging situations you can put yourself in.
5 Reasons Why Challenges Are Important In Life
1. They Keep You Sharp
I think that life’s challenges keep us sharp because they force us to adapt and to think on our feet.
We can’t afford to be complacent when something unexpected comes up, because we might not get a second chance.
This mindset carries over to other aspects of life. If you think about the sharpest person you know, he probably tackles life’s challenges on a regular basis.
On the flip side, somebody who is not sharp sits around all day doing nothing. Their mind is not primed to handle obstacles that arise.
Therefore, when a challenge pops up (which it always does!), they will be unprepared.
2. Builds Mental Toughness
Mental toughness is something that can be built up over time through experience and challenges.
When you face a difficult situation, and you are able to overcome it, you become stronger mentally.
This strength helps in other areas of your life, including your work, personal relationships, and more.
It’s important to remember that everyone faces challenges in life. But how you handle those challenges determines your mental toughness.
I’m not saying you will hit a home run with every challenge, especially at the start. However, over time your mind will adapt and be more relaxed in the face of adversity.
3. You Get To Enjoy The Reward
At the end of every challenge, there is a reward.
Are you courageous enough to reach the end?
I hope so.
In addition, the more effort we put into overcoming our challenges, the more rewards we’ll reap. So don’t be afraid to face your challenges head-on; they’ll only make you stronger in the end.
You also need to remember that your challenges are different from other people.
So how do you identify the challenges you need to face?
Think about what you fear the most, and do it! Doing so ensures the reward you receive was worth the pain of the challenge.
Read also: Too cheap for therapy? Read these books!
4. You Can Help Others
Once you’ve walked a path less traveled, you’re qualified to help others along the same road.
You understand what it takes.
You’ve felt the pain, fear, and emotional turmoil.
When somebody has just started on the same path, you can show compassion and give them the confidence boost they need.
Let’s use MMA fighters as examples.
Behind every great MMA fighter is a coach. And that coach has experience fighting – almost every time.
Without skin in the game, it would be hard for the fighter to take them seriously.
But MMA is only one example. This can be applied to anything in life.
5. You Earn People’s Respect
Facing adversity is one of the most difficult things that a person can do, but also one of the most well-respected.
When a person faces adversity, they are showing strength and determination in the face of difficult odds.
This often gains the respect of others, who admire the courage and fortitude that the person has displayed.
That’s why David Goggins is well-respected in the self-improvement community. He has undergone extreme challenges that would break most men.
The difference is he came out stronger.
Read Also: How To Be Feared And Respected
7 Ways To Challenge Yourself In 2022
1. Climb A Mountain (Best For Introverts)
Why are all the best mountain climbers introverts!? Because it provides time to reflect and spend some time alone.
It’s also a damn challenge.
Your mental and physical abilities will be tested. It also provides an opportunity for you to see the world from a different perspective.
If you’ve been stressed out with city life, hiking a mountain puts life in perspective. Once you shut out the noise, what really matters boils to the surface.
It’s an exhilarating experience that can’t be put into words.
With that being said, climbing mountains is no joke. You need to be fully prepared and have the right training beforehand.
Depending on your location, there are many dangers to consider. Avalanches, storms, falls – to name a few.
However, that’s what makes it a challenge, right!?
After all, courage can’t exist without fear.
2. Start Meeting People (For Shy People)
I believe the reason people feel unmotivated is because they can’t meet others.
When you’ve got the social skills to leave your house and develop real relationships, how can you ever be bored!?
Even if you’re unconfident right now, you still need to start meeting people.
Here’s how I would approach it…
Start off small and build up gradually. Begin by saying hello to customer service clerks and asking how they’re doing.
Once you’re comfortable with small talk, you can increase the challenge. I recommend going to your local bar and getting to know the regulars.
Rather than thinking about the situation with anxiety, start getting excited to meet others.
The truth is, if you can meet the right people, your life will change. You can get everything you ever wanted in life by building the right connections.
3. Have An MMA Fight (Best For Timid People)
When you feel inferior to others, sometimes you need to chuck yourself in the deep end.
And what better way than by having an MMA fight.
It will challenge you to your core. From the high-intensity training to the tough sparring sessions.
But here’s the thing…
If you stick with it, you will completely transform in the process.
Not only that, but everybody wants to know how to defend themselves, right!?
In addition, you will also meet other like-minded people. Even if you’re shy, it’s much easier to make a connection with these people because you’re all facing the same challenge together.
4. Do Door To Door Sales (For Aspiring Salesman)
There are many reasons why everyone should do door-to-door sales.
First and foremost, it is a great way to get face-to-face with potential customers and make a personal connection.
This is extremely valuable in building trust and rapport, which can lead to more sales opportunities.
In addition, door-to-door sales can be a very effective way to learn about your customers’ needs and wants, which can help you create better products and services.
But more importantly, it’s one of the most challenging career paths. You need thick skin. And if you don’t have it yet, you will develop it fast.
People rejecting you over and over again is tough.
Do you have what it takes to bounce back and keep going?
That’s the challenge!
5. Jump Out Of A Plane (Best For Thrill Seekers)
I’m not talking about jumping out of a commercial airliner.
That’s insanity – not challenging.
I’m talking about skydiving.
Close your eyes and imagine how nerve-wracking it is to skydive.
Doesn’t sound like the most enjoyable activity, huh!?
But it’s not supposed to be.
The purpose of jumping out of a plane is for the challenge. Confronting the fear will change you in ways you couldn’t imagine.
Plus, you can tell everybody you’ve jumped out of a plane!
6. Join The Military (Best For Young Men)
Back in the day, it was mandatory to serve in the military after leaving school.
And I believe that’s why men were more confident, charismatic, and mentally stronger.
Nowadays, it’s the opposite.
Therefore, I recommend all young men think about joining the military.
I admit it’s not for everybody. However, it’s a fast-track way to grow up and become a man.
And the best thing?
Your whole life will be a challenge!
Although, you will be putting your life on the line. So, make sure you consider your options before signing up.
Why Do Challenges Make Us Stronger?
Most challenges are difficult because we perceive them as dangerous.
However, in the modern world, there is not much to be fearful of.
Unless you’re going to war, the chances of dying when challenging yourself are low.
Unfortunately, your brain doesn’t know this. Therefore, you overcomplicate challenges and create a s**tstorm in your head.
But as you get more confident performing a specific task, your mind starts to quieten. When this happens, your mind becomes stronger.
That’s why professional athletes seem calm before competing. Of course, they still feel nervous; however, they’ve been there many times before.
If you put an inexperienced person in the same position, they would freeze up.
And probably quit.
How To Overcome Challenges In Life?
One key is to plan ahead and be prepared so the unexpected doesn’t smack you down.
What’s important is setting goals and priorities, staying focused on what you want, finding other sources of fulfillment in your life so the pursuit becomes less stressful.
You also need to embrace the fear.
Anything worth accomplishing requires fear. The sooner you can accept this truth, the better you will perform.
The reason most people quit is because the fear paralyzes them. However, the only way to quieten the fear is to face it head-on – over and over again.
Can You Live A Life Without Problems?
Years ago you couldn’t live a life without problems. However, times have changed.
If you want a life without problems…
You can sit around doing nothing all day.
But the downside is you will be miserable. Rather than facing life head-on, you’re hiding from the challenges.
And as we’ve discussed before, a life without challenges is boring.
You will have no social skills.
No confidence.
No drive or ambition.
Does that sound like the life you want to live?
The reason you try to avoid problems is because you believe they will break you. However, that’s not the case.
When you’re in a challenging situation, you find out what you’re made of.
When there’s no turning back, that’s when your inner strength rises to the surface.
Why Do I Like Challenges?
I’ve often wondered the same thing.
And I still don’t have the answer.
But I think the reason we enjoy challenges is because we meet our true selves. When you go through life with no problems, you never get to see yourself.
There’s never an opportunity to shine.
When facing emotional challenges, you confront a side of yourself you never knew existed.
The key is taking the first step by putting yourself through a challenge.
How To Take The First Step In Challenging Yourself?
The first step is always the hardest.
Whether it’s a job interview or sports competition – we all know the feeling.
But there’s a way to make sure you always take the first step.
And that’s by having more to lose.
If skipping out on a challenge means you lose more than completing it, then it’s easier to get started.
Sometimes, to achieve the impossible, we have to give ourselves no choice.
Conclusion
Life’s challenges are a confusing topic to talk about.
Most people assume problems are bad and should be avoided.
But not me.
I believe you need to embrace challenges for a fulfilling and happy life. All the people I see without challenges are living miserable lives.
So, get out there and get what’s yours.
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