How reframing your relationship with discomfort builds resilience

The saying 'No mud, no lotus', attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist monk and peace activist), embodies the fact that even the hardest of times can yield beautiful lessons and help us find empowering meaning.

COMING UP

Exploring how our most difficult experiences can lead to our greatest growth, and why pain is inevitable but suffering is optional.

BEFORE WE START

Before we get into this weeks newsletter, I wanted to remind you of my new ‘Thrive Under Pressure Programme’ launching in May.

(Thank you to everyone who’s already signed up for the waitlist!)

After 20+ years negotiating in life-or-death situations, I've distilled everything into one program.

My 8-week THRIVE UNDER PRESSURE intensive gives you the exact frameworks I've taught to leaders, business owners, entrepreneurs, and other high performers when the stakes are high.

Spots will be limited because I want to make sure you get the attention, insights, and real-world application you need.

If you’re serious about mastering high-stakes influence, negotiation, and decision-making, this is your chance.

Join the waitlist now to get early access (I'll be sharing more details in the coming weeks!)

JOIN WAITLIST

TIP OF THE WEEK

The saying 'No mud, no lotus', attributed to Thich Nhat Hanh (Buddhist monk and peace activist), embodies the fact that even the hardest of times can yield beautiful lessons and help us find empowering meaning.

The lotus flower can only bloom from the dark mud, just as your resilience grows when it feels dark and hopeless, and your suffering seems all-consuming.

It’s a fact that pain is inevitable.

Regardless of wealth, status, or circumstances, we all face it.

Illness, loss, disappointment, aging - these are part of being human.

But pain is what happens to you.

Suffering is what you do with that pain.

Most high achievers I work with initially resist this idea.

They see acknowledging pain as weakness.

In reality, it's the opposite - facing your pain head-on requires tremendous strength and creates extraordinary resilience.

1 QUESTION FOR YOU

I’d like you to think about your most recent frustration - maybe with a colleague, a family member, or even yourself.

What would change if you viewed this frustration as mud that could help something beautiful grow?

What's one small way you could approach this situation differently?

WORTH CHECKING OUT

Just found this short teaching video from Thich Nhat Hanh himself on "No Mud, No Lotus."

It's just under 10 minutes long but captures the essence of transforming suffering perfectly.

If you're dealing with something difficult right now, this might be exactly what you need to hear.

Until next week,

Scott

P.S. If you enjoyed my Sunday Times bestseller, Order Out of Chaos, you’ll love my follow-up, Eye of The Storm, out May 8th, 2025.

Take advantage of early bird discounts and pre-order your copy here.

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