Confidence: Proof You Can Face Any Challenge
I haven’t had a warm shower in more than seven months. If you’re counting, it’s 226 days, but whose counting.
The water I use is 54 degrees Fahrenheit, 12.2 degrees Celsius. Yes, I checked the temperature of our well water with a food thermometer.
It all began with our daughter last Thanksgiving.
Mindy, the aforementioned daughter, told me she’s taking cold showers. She explained how you acclimate your body by splashing cold water on yourself. When she explained the physical benefits, it sounded like hocus pocus.
The Internet has articles – pro and con – for taking cold showers. Some are based on actual research. But research has nothing to do with my practice.
I emerged like a red lobster from my first cold shower the day after Thanksgiving. I was fully alive. That was the last day I took a hot shower.
Splashing cold water to acclimate is for weaklings.
I wash my hair using cool water, about 89 degrees Fahrenheit (31.6 C). With my head under the shower – in one bold move – I turn off the hot water. The drop from 89 to 54 degrees is breathtaking. During longer showers the ends of my fingers grow pale.
You may wonder why a person of average intelligence, or any intelligence, would intentionally take a cold shower when hot water is one knob-turn away.
I still think all the “benefits” of cold showers are hocus pocus. I take a freezing shower for one reason.
A cold shower proves – to me – that I’m tough. You, on the other hand, might think it proves I’m stupid.
Taking a cold shower makes me feel like I can tackle any challenge that comes my way. You’re right. It might also indicate stupidity.
How are you reminding yourself that you’re tough enough to face today’s challenges?
How might leaders remind people of the toughness they see in them?
Afterword: I’m not endorsing the practice of taking cold showers. It’s just something I started doing.
Dan I love your blog, but cold showers – you’re on your own.
In terms of reminders for toughness I have a structure, a bracelet from my time in the Army, It reminds me of times that defined my resilience, mental toughness and grit.
I’ve coached people who have adopted something that reminds them of a special time in life when they came up big with toughness and make the most of a challenging situation.
Thanks Bushee. You exemplify superior intellect on two counts. One, find another way to remind yourself of your toughness. Two, help people remember when they were tough. One of the questions I ask people who feel afraid of taking on a new challenge is, tell me about a time when you did something hard. How did you get it done?
Great Blog and I must say I do exactly the same i.e switching from hot showers to cold showers but it was more because I read somewhere it was good for your skin. Apparently it makes one look younger but seeing it from a different context is an eye opener. And I am using that question with my team next time we are faced with a challenge.
Dan, how about a combo. I take a warm/hot shower, except for the last 60 seconds when I put it on cold. It makes the experience invigorating and assures I am fully awake and alert!
Toughness means you’re willing to face the difficult and challenging problems.
Are you willing to take on the issues others have avoided.
It takes a strong belief in yourself–your values, principles, and skills. It takes a strong belief in your mission and vision. It takes a strong belief in doing what is right and needed.
So work on those things to firm up your toughness.
Thanks Paul. 60 seconds is NOT enough. 🙂 But, your idea to determine why you would do something tough in the first place is important. Why does it matter to you? (Not to others. Not to the organization. Why does it matter to you?) Find your own reasons.
60 seconds is more than enough for me!!!!!!
I’m tougher than you!! 🙂
Yes, it does make you feel alive and starts your day with a “win”! Typical daily decisions are easy compared to turning off the hot water.
Thanks Kevin. Well, turning off the hot water might make hard decisions easier, but it doesn’t do anything for intelligence. 🙂
Oh my God! Your blog on cold showers looked like I am writing this one. Exact same thoughts for me. I have been taking cold showers since 5 years, not for any scientific benefits, but just to experience the journey for something difficult! And I have used this experience for my 36 hours fasts now!!
Thanks Manu. Ummm, fasting for 36 hours!!! I’m sticking with a cold shower! 🙂 I’ve been thinking that we learn to do hard things by doing hard things. I guess that doesn’t sound very encouraging.
Yes, my son introduced me to the Wim Hoff cold shower idea. I just can’t bring myself to do it when that hot water knob is right there. He on the other hand swears by it. I’m tough in so many ways, but being cold is just not on the list.
I didn’t know it had a name! Thanks Susan. Taking a cold shower seems more intelligent when I call it the Wim Hoff Method…. Or, does it mean I’m the member of a cult??!! 🙂
Your observation about toughness is so important. Taking a cold shower isn’t the gold standard of toughness. You’re tough in so many ways…. Love that.
A workout video I used to do said “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable.” Another one, that I like better said “You might feel uncomfortable right now, that’s okay. Use that.”
I’ve done enough in my life that I KNOW I’m pretty tough, both physically and mentally. The fun thing is finding those NEW things that make you uncomfortable and working through them until you are comfortable with it. Continually finding the challenge. If you’re always comfortable, you’ll never move.
Thanks SB. I think I’ve met someone who is less intelligent than me! 🙂 Occasional ease is awesome. A life of ease is the enemy.
I do this too. Start hot and end cold. It’s invigorating, and in the summertime helps you dry faster without perspiration from the hot water. There may well be physical and emotional benefits. Anything can serve as a symbol for the psyche.
Thanks Steve. It’s useful to know that there’s more than one way to skin a cat. cheers
I’ve taken cold showers when I had to, and yes, they make you feel exhilarated-and cold. Not for me. I wear a ring that has 26.2 engraved on the band. The length of a marathon. I got one for each of my daughters and myself when my oldest was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It reminds us that life, and the fight for it, is a marathon, not a sprint.
Wow! Thanks Andrea. What a powerful reminder.
As a cold shower taker myself, I completely understand where you are coming from, Dan. The victory of making it through a cold shower is just another positive to get the day going in the right direction. It ranks right up there with making the bed in the morning – small wins equating to positive momentum. I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that makes that abrupt shut-off of the cold water. Thank you for the thought provoking and inspiring words that you share.
I’ve only taken a cold shower when I had to, but I will say, I’ve never taken a faster shower than when it’s cold! It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a short amount of time when the pressure and motivation are on to complete a task. The trick is planning your task and systematically going through the process without distraction. A lot of parallels there to challenges beyond a simple cold shower.