Navigating Beyond Your Comfort Zone
We have many friends and acquaintances.
Some are exceptionally good for us, some good, some not so good, and still others, well, let’s just say they’re not in our best interests to pursue or have in our lives.
Some of these “friends”, while not the best for us, are still comfortable. Comfortable in the sense that we know what to expect of them, that they’re not the most reliable, but we’re used to them.
Many of you know that I enjoy writing. I enjoy writing about things that I’m researching or content for workshops, blogs, and seminars.
I enjoy writing for speaking events and small groups. I have written songs and poetry, but not for public consumption.
This kind of writing is safe, confined, in my own time, and about whatever I want. It is comfortable.
Our place of comfort is a place to belong, to have equilibrium, to breathe, to expend little or no effort; a place of ease. It is usually a happy place. And it is very easy to stay there.
One can do many things in that comfortable place but eventually we grow stagnant, bored, or sleepy and, much like falling asleep while sitting on a fence, we are likely to fall! Unfortunately, when we fall asleep, we tend to fall backwards or sideways; it’s kind of a quirky thing about humans. Very little effort, if any, is required to fall off of a fence. That’s gravity in action. And this is where our comfort zone no longer serves us.
I believe that personal growth in this life is critical and essential and that growth doesn’t stop at some arbitrary age. Growth allows us to have more creativity, more freedom, more fun, and to be happy. Growth gives us something to look forward to. I have chosen to be mindful to learn something new every day. Yes, I said, every day. And I have been successful in doing so. Sometimes it's just something small and seemingly inconsequential. Other times I am floored! Either way, I can use what I learn to help others and/or myself.
Once our comfort zone no longer serves us, something has to happen! We fall backwards, becoming listless, annoyed, frustrated, depressed. Or we make the choice to jump forward and make a change. Jumping off a fence is more difficult and a little more time consuming and possibly fear-inducing. The choice to move forward requires us to be intentional. We need to determine where we want to land; it requires us to move, to adjust our position, to look ahead, and determine a course of action.
And that is where the growth occurs: once we take intentional action.
I recently stepped very much out of my comfort zone.
With great trepidation I contributed a 150 word submission to a book about relationships. Yes, it was for public consumption. The book went bestseller in Canada, USA, Australia, and the UK. My work has now been read by hundreds of people around the world. YIKES!
Now that I've gotten my feet wet, I just this month contributed a 500+ word submission to another book. This time the topic is about motivation, to be released in the last week of this month.
Would I have done this before? NO WAY!
The first book submission was only 150 words and that is something I could handle. Like the concept of learning something new every day, the growth doesn’t have to be huge. Start with something small or easy. But start!
I’m actually excited by the thought of writing a published work this time. I have had some personal growth.
Your comfort zone will always be with you and there is no harm in being there as long as you don’t stay there. It is a tool, use it wisely and realise that your comfort zone changes with your growth. And that is a good thing!!
Now, go out and test your limits!!
I have coached and mentored individuals, and facilitated small groups for over 30 years. I am a strong proponent of walking the walk and talking the talk. When I know something works, I like to pass it on to others!
Go to heatherlynnecoaching.com/workshops for more information and to register for my upcoming workshops or seminars!
About Heather O ‘Reilly
I have coached and mentored individuals, and facilitated small groups for over 30 years. I am a strong proponent of walking the walk and talking the talk. When I know something works, I like to pass it on to others!
Join me and start your journey to spark meaningful change in your life. Discover new strategies and develop good habits by registering for our upcoming workshops at heatherlynnecoaching.com/workshops