Yesterday we talked about the biggest addiction, namely, the addiction to comfort.

There’s no question that comfort feels good. The trouble is that everything you want in terms of skill and achievement lies outside of this zone.

To become better at anything, you must leave the comfort zone. And to become the best at what you do, you must say goodbye to comfort.

You must become comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable. If you do this, you will be miles ahead of your competition. The best way to get what other people want is to do what other people are not willing to do. While they are staying comfortable, you can grow.

I’m coaching at a clinic these days, and last night I asked a young woman to change her footwork on a skill. She tried it and said, “That feels awkward.”

“Yes!” I replied. It’s SUPPOSED to feel awkward. As time goes on and you acquire skill, it will feel less awkward.

North Carolina women’s soccer coach Anson Dorrance warns against practices that go too smoothly. If you feel completely comfortable at these sessions, then you are practicing things you already know. You are not growing.

The very essence of deliberate practice is to practice just outside of the comfort zone. Too awkward will leave you frustrated. Too comfy will leave you unimproved. The best practices stretch your limits just a little bit every time.

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Mike Tully speaks to sports, business and educational groups. He also works with coaches, athletes and teams to make their practice time more productive and efficient. He and Gary Pritchard are co-authors of “Ten Things Great Coaches Know.” To see Coach Tully and Coach Pritchard discuss “Seven Ways to Prepare for Adversity,” click here.