Get Comfortable with Discomfort
Take nothing for granted. To be successful you have to have a healthy obsession about what you can’t live without.
EMBRACE DISCOMFORT
No one gets worse within discomfort. It’s impossible. Going through discomfort makes you analyze different so that you come out stronger, smarter, and ready to face the next challenge. That’s a lesson I’ve learned since turning pro.
A couple years ago PJ Thompson came back to Purdue to be a GA. That was probably the best thing that happened to my career. PJ invested all his time into us—whether that was on the court, watching film, or just regular life, he was there for us. He taught us plenty of lessons, and I owe him a great deal for all he has done.
The lesson that sticks out to me the most was the day he asked us,
“Do you guys like it, love it, or can’t live without it?”
I answered that I love it, because I’ve always believed in not putting all your eggs in one basket and that basketball doesn’t define me.
He made a point I’ll never forget: you won’t last if you can’t live without it. He was talking about being overseas. He was talking about having a fiery passion for the game.
It’s a different life over here—away from family and a different style of basketball. Now, sitting here hurt this entire season, I realize what he was really talking about.
Anything and everything in your life that you can’t live without, you have to hold tight to your chest. You have to cherish it and never take it for granted. This isn’t just about basketball. Life is precious. Anything can be taken away from you in a split second.
So every day you wake up, appreciate that you have another day to get after it. Whatever your passion is, hold it tight to your chest. Cherish it. Nourish it. And never give up.
There will be tough periods, but the good days will always come—and they will outshine those dark days. Don’t forget to say good morning and add a smile in those tough times.
The lesson that sticks out to me the most was the day he asked us,
“Do you guys like it, love it, or can’t live without it?”
I answered that I love it, because I’ve always believed in not putting all your eggs in one basket and that basketball doesn’t define me.
He made a point I’ll never forget: you won’t last if you can’t live without it. He was talking about being overseas. He was talking about having a fiery passion for the game.
It’s a different life over here—away from family and a different style of basketball. Now, sitting here hurt this entire season, I realize what he was really talking about.
Anything and everything in your life that you can’t live without, you have to hold tight to your chest. You have to cherish it and never take it for granted. This isn’t just about basketball. Life is precious. Anything can be taken away from you in a split second.
So every day you wake up, appreciate that you have another day to get after it. Whatever your passion is, hold it tight to your chest. Cherish it. Nourish it. And never give up.
There will be tough periods, but the good days will always come—and they will outshine those dark days. Don’t forget to say good morning and add a smile in those tough times.
Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
My basketball and mindset trainer always says, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”
It sounds simple, but it has a profound value.
It’s easy to say you’re going to do something in the moment. But when it comes down to it, how reliable are you to your word?
For me, discipline has been my everything.
I think back to when I quit baseball to give my all to basketball. I never expected to have the career I’ve had—but it worked out. I attribute that first to the people who poured into me, and second to my discipline.
I was able to fall in love with discomfort at a young age. I turned discomfort into a happy place.
When I was in high school, I made it my job to test myself every day—whether that was hitting a certain number of shots, making shots in a row, or putting myself through some real fun stair workouts in the fieldhouse.
I genuinely believe that your success is on the other side of the discomfort you are afraid to put yourself in.
And I say your success because everyone’s success looks different. It might be getting a degree. Starting a business. Getting back into the gym.
Do not be afraid.
Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.
Now that you know that, you have no excuse not to take that next risk. And here’s the best part—what if I told you that you’re just five mistakes or five no’s away from your next breakthrough?
How quick would you be to take that next risk if you understood it was only bringing you closer to your success?
Set your vision. Set your dreams. And commit to putting yourself in uncomfortable situations every day.
My basketball and mindset trainer always says, “Nothing changes if nothing changes.”
It sounds simple, but it has a profound value.
It’s easy to say you’re going to do something in the moment. But when it comes down to it, how reliable are you to your word?
For me, discipline has been my everything.
I think back to when I quit baseball to give my all to basketball. I never expected to have the career I’ve had—but it worked out. I attribute that first to the people who poured into me, and second to my discipline.
I was able to fall in love with discomfort at a young age. I turned discomfort into a happy place.
When I was in high school, I made it my job to test myself every day—whether that was hitting a certain number of shots, making shots in a row, or putting myself through some real fun stair workouts in the fieldhouse.
I genuinely believe that your success is on the other side of the discomfort you are afraid to put yourself in.
And I say your success because everyone’s success looks different. It might be getting a degree. Starting a business. Getting back into the gym.
Do not be afraid.
Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real.
Now that you know that, you have no excuse not to take that next risk. And here’s the best part—what if I told you that you’re just five mistakes or five no’s away from your next breakthrough?
How quick would you be to take that next risk if you understood it was only bringing you closer to your success?
Set your vision. Set your dreams. And commit to putting yourself in uncomfortable situations every day.
SMALL CHANGES
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Preparing for Your Moment
When I was at Purdue, Coach Painter would sometimes put on crowd noise that was deafening. You couldn’t hear anyone talking. But it helped prepare us for tough road game environments.
It always made me think—what are you doing on a daily basis to prepare for your moment?
No one knows when their moment will arise. But those who are prepared won’t miss it. And those who were afraid will live with regret.
Keep showing up with a smile.
And remember:
YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH.
When I was at Purdue, Coach Painter would sometimes put on crowd noise that was deafening. You couldn’t hear anyone talking. But it helped prepare us for tough road game environments.
It always made me think—what are you doing on a daily basis to prepare for your moment?
No one knows when their moment will arise. But those who are prepared won’t miss it. And those who were afraid will live with regret.
Keep showing up with a smile.
And remember:
YOU ARE MORE THAN ENOUGH.
