Get comfortable with being uncomfortable

I recently heard these words from a senior leader in my civilian job. The timing of these words didn’t feel coincidental as my transition to a new role was announced that same week. In less than five days, I would be leaving a role where I served for greater than five years. My children became teenagers in this role. I watched teammates go from individual contributors to leaders and mentors to those that stood in the shoes they once filled. I remembered when I took the role wondering what in the world someone was thinking when they put me in as the lead of a Fleet organization. And here we are, five years later, feeling like I am leaving home and a family forged through trials, tribulations, and celebrations. I sat in the audience of hundreds feeling like the message was meant just for me…get comfortable with being uncomfortable.