Ever try a new sales or management technique and feel like it totally flopped?
Maybe it worked fine in training… but in real life, it felt clunky, awkward, or even a little embarrassing.
That discomfort isn’t failure. It’s your brain doing what it’s wired to do.
Let’s break down why that happens—and how to push through it to build stronger habits and better results.
The Science Behind Discomfort and Change
When you hear a new idea—especially something that challenges your current sales or leadership habits—your brain immediately kicks into evaluation mode.
Part of that happens consciously:
“Could this work for me?”
“Does this remind me of something that failed in the past?”
But most of the processing happens beneath the surface, in your unconscious brain. That’s where deeply ingrained patterns—your mental “default settings”—try to keep you safe by sticking with what’s familiar.
If a new behavior clashes with those existing neural pathways, you might feel:
A gut-level discomfort
Self-doubt
Or the urge to reject the idea completely: “That might work for them, but not for me.”
Sound familiar?
Why the Brain Resists Change
Your brain’s #1 job is survival.
To conserve energy, it relies on neural shortcuts—habits and behaviors that have worked before.
These shortcuts live in a part of the brain called the basal ganglia. Every time you repeat a behavior, those neural pathways get stronger. That’s why your default reactions often feel automatic—even if they’re outdated or ineffective.
Trying something new forces your brain off those well-worn trails and onto a new path. And yes—it feels uncomfortable.
But here’s the upside: discomfort is a sign of growth, not failure.
How Top Performers Rewire Their Brains
High-performing sales professionals and leaders share one powerful habit:
They don’t let discomfort stop them.
They:
✅ Try new behaviors—even if they feel awkward
✅ Push through initial resistance
✅ Make conscious decisions to act differently
✅ Stick with it long enough to build new, more effective habits
One rep told us about the first time she asked a tough budget question early in a sales conversation. It felt risky. Her voice shook. But she did it—and closed the deal.
Moments like that don’t happen by chance. They happen when someone decides to leave their comfort zone on purpose.
Change Your Habits, Change Your Outcomes
If you want different results in sales or leadership, you’ll have to do something different—and that will feel weird at first. That’s OK.
The key is to recognize that uncomfortable moment for what it is: a sign that you're building new, more productive patterns.
Ready to turn discomfort into growth?
Whether you're a manager trying to lead more effectively or a sales professional looking to level up, the path starts with one step outside your comfort zone.
✅ Let’s explore your goals and challenges—without pressure.
Schedule a stress-free call today and see how consistent, lasting change is closer than you think.
