Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable
When we talk about developing grit, it’s tempting to focus on the outcome — resilience, perseverance, the ability to keep going when things get hard. But grit doesn’t start there. It’s forged in the moments when students feel uncomfortable and choose to stay engaged anyway.
Angela Duckworth defines grit as “passion and perseverance for long-term goals.” That perseverance is built not through success, but through struggle — through the discomfort of not knowing what to do next, of trying something new, of facing possible rejection.
That’s why, in the first year of the Seed Tree Group program, we intentionally design projects that push students outside their comfort zones. One of my favorites is the Selling Project. Each student has to sell something — a product or a service — to someone they don’t know. It’s a simple concept, but a powerful experience.
For many, it’s the first time they’ve heard “no” from a real customer. It’s awkward. It’s uncomfortable. And that’s exactly the point. Because when we guide students to push through that discomfort — to ask again, to listen better, to adjust their approach — something begins to shift. They realize rejection isn’t failure. It’s feedback.
In those moments, grit starts to form. And along the way, they learn something even more valuable: how to communicate value, solve real problems, and see opportunity where others see obstacles. That’s the heart of the entrepreneurial mindset.
Our goal isn’t to make students fearless — it’s to help them build the confidence to act in spite of fear. To get comfortable being uncomfortable. Because that’s where real growth happens.
If you’re an educator looking to help your students develop grit through real-world experiences, start small. Create moments of healthy discomfort — projects where success requires persistence, courage, and follow-through.
That’s where the mindset shifts begin.
Connect with me to get your students started on the Seed Tree Program for impactful entrepreneurship