7 Takebacks from my unplanned cold showers. What it taught & reminded me about life & running a business? How it can help you.
In the middle of summer, I might choose to take a cold shower. But when your hot water system (hello, broken yunkers) unexpectedly gives out and you don’t have a choice… What I learnt.
- When you step right under the cold water your mind immediately tells you to step away and stop – but if you breathe and stay put, you realize you can handle more than you thought. That you can do it! That you’re resilient. 🧠 Lesson: In both life and business, short-term discomfort (late nights, tough decisions, cashflow issues, difficult clients or suppliers) builds resilience and sets us up for long-term growth. What feels unbearable at first soon becomes part of our success story.
- You control your response. You can’t control the cold, but you can control your breathing, your mindset, and how long you stay in. 🧠 Lesson: In business, external factors like market conditions, competitors, or setbacks are beyond our control. But how we respond – with flexibility, innovation, and persistence – is entirely in our hands.
- Just get started! The hardest part is in the beginning. Once we get under the cold water, it often becomes easier. We get used to the temperature. 🧠 Lesson: Procrastination often impacts our lives and business negatively. If we can only get started… Once we do, it’s often easier and less challenging than what we anticipated in the first place. We learn what to do and how to do it.
- Delayed gratification pays off. At first, it’s uncomfortable, but the longer you endure, the greater the reward – whether it’s the sense of accomplishment or simply feeling alive afterward. 🧠 Lesson: In business, the biggest payoffs often come after periods of hard work, waiting and endurance. While short-term wins may feel gratifying, it’s the long-term vision – the brand growth, loyal customer base, and financial freedom that makes it all worthwhile.
- Wakefulness is a choice. The cold shocks us into presence. No distractions, no autopilot. We’re 100% there.🧠 Lesson: Just like the cold shower, running a business requires us to stay awake and engaged. Focus and presence drive smarter decisions and fuel our ability to adapt in real time.
- Mindset shift. From panic, to calm, to acceptance. Imagine you’re in the middle of a heatwave and how exhilarating & what fun a cold shower is. That’s what I imagined. 🧠 Lesson: From doubt to confidence, as we grow and learn. As we learn to control our reactions and allow our mindset to shift. Imagine and see yourself RIGHT NOW as THE person and business you’re aiming to become. What you’re striving for. Then you’ll act and run your business accordingly. Adapt your mindset. Image you are presently where you want to be.
- What’s your end goal? Feeling energized, refreshed, empowered, and accomplished. 🧠 Lesson: Likewise in business, we have goals, a vision, and aim for satisfaction, stability, and financial success. Even though running a business can be draining (mentally, physically & yes, also financially), when we do it right, we feel energized, empowered and accomplished.
While cold showers may jolt us at first, they offer more than just a physical wake-up – they build mental resilience, discipline, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. In life and in business, these are the very muscles we need to keep showing up, making bold moves, and enduring the discomfort that often leads to meaningful growth.
© Lesley Kaplan is passionate about life and enhancing people & processes. As a Business Strategy, Branding & Goal-Achieving Coach, Consultant & Trainer, she has advised, trained and coached hundreds of business owners & organizations worldwide to success, by using tools, systems and marketing methods to improve their results, become more profitable, and to feel more in control of their business.
She is the Founder of the Israel Networking Hub – Facebook Group & Events – for business owners and nonprofits to connect, build relationships, network, and promote their services, events or products.
She facilitates monthly online Networking Forums and the in-person Netanya Women’s Networking & Development Group – both of which operate under the umbrella of the Israel Networking Hub. Lesley’s events enhance and attract Men and Women in Business from all areas of the country and abroad. She is also the founder of the Monday Motivation Spotlight Podcast.
Lesley is the author of “SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS TOOLBOX & GUIDE: HOW TO BUILD & BRAND YOUR BIZ” and “POWER TALKS WITH WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS” available on this website for purchasing in Israel, or on Amazon. Available in paperback, as a digital e-book or read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited.