We can stand there comfortably on the ground floor or we can ascend the steps beyond our comfort zone and realize our greatness.
The comfort zone is that place where good ideas, dreams and untapped talent go to die. It’s called the comfort zone because we feel safe, comfortable, if you will. We are tricked into thinking that challenging ourselves or expanding our range of experiences is too scary and we are better off happily stuck. Being stuck isn’t a happy experience is it? We allow fear to control us rather than taking bold action and pushing ourselves to do more, be more and realize our own power. There’s nothing wrong with staying stuck, but why hold ourselves captive?
It occurred to me recently, that I’ve been blogging on and off since 2008. That’s a long time and yet, I haven’t grown my content, reach or opportunities nearly to the level of my peers in this arena have. The reason being, I’ve allowed myself to be wrapped up in my doubts and fears. Truth be told, I suffer from impostor syndrome.
I’m under this false notion that what I have to say, share or show people just isn’t good enough. There’s always a comparison in my head. So, I stay stuck, dreaming about being recognized by HGTV, or joining Martha’s Creative Circle, or getting a spot on a local TV morning show or blogger credentials to a trade show. These lofty dreams will fast become pipe dreams if I don’t stop holding myself back and take bold inspired action. To quote Stewart Smalley, “I’m good enough and gosh darn it people like me.”
The last words of David Cassidy (as far as I know, we aren’t related), ” So much wasted time”, have been weighing on me with this realization. Fear keeps us in the comfort zone and gives us permission to “waste time”. The good news we don’t have to, we just have to be bold enough to take a chance and stop letting fear control us. We don’t have to stay stuck and waste our talents or our voice. Instead, we can go out there and create something.
Do you want to start a Youtube channel or maybe your want to launch a business but fear what others might think ? Pishposh… who cares what others think. You never know who may be watching and what impact you might have. It could lead to bigger things, but you’ll never know if you sit on the fence watching others push their limits. A very good friend of mine reminded me that you can’t enjoy the rewards or benefits unless you leave your comfort zone.
So with that, a new year brings new opportunities and I’m excited for all that 2018 holds in store. Do you want to sit here in 2019 amazed at all you’ve done this year? I know I do. We can only achieve great things if we step out of the comfort zone. What great things will you do stepping out of your comfort zone this year?
