There are two main areas of focus for this lesson, though it applies to many aspects of life.

1. Learning to be assertive without being an ass.
2. Learning to learn and push beyond your current depths of knowledge.

Learning to be assertive without being as ass:
As mentioned in Lesson #15, In all things, be confident and kind, we talked about being kind without being a pushover. What is important to note, is that being kind doesn't mean that you must always be the "nice guy". You must find the assertive line between nice and asshole.

In his book The Masculinity Manifesto, @ryanmichler talks about this: "It's hard for nice guys to know the line, especially if they've never experimented with what is acceptable and what isn't."

He suggests to experiment in regards to being more assertive in certain scenarios. Intentionally make yourself uncomfortable in order to find the line. Or in his words, "The point is to make yourself uncomfortable and get you familiar with asserting yourself in a situation where you ordinarily would just want to slink away and hide."

Find the line. Toe across it. Get comfortable. Then, dial it back to assertive without being an ass.

Learning to learn and push beyond your current depth of knowledge:
When learning a new skill or subject matter, it's the process of learning you must get comfortable with.

Through the process, we push ourselves beyond what we currently know and understand. This is intimidating, but also uncomfortable. We risk being the newbie or the dumbest one in the room. It's humbling. However, if you are able to get comfortable in the uncomfortable and embrace the process, there is no telling what you will be able to learn and accomplish.

This lesson does not stop with these two examples.

It can be applied to fitness or to social settings. It can build confidence.

Get comfortable being uncomfortable. It will do you wonders.

#lessonsformychildren