Challenging your comfort zone

How often do you get inspired and start thinking of things so big, so different, so awesome? You have a vision and inside you’re like I CAN DO THIS and then you get back to your “reality” and start seeing perceived reasons why it can’t be done.

You’re not alone, but for this moment in time, think of all the unachieved dreams hidden deep within because we’ve let those reasons get in the way, we’ve stopped taking risks, we’ve stopped doing what’s different or we’ve become comfortable with comfortable. Then think of all the inspiring people in our life: national icons, friends, parents, bosses or neighbours… Chances are they’ve stepped beyond their comfort zone.

So what contributes to the comfort zone that we can switch perspective on today?

Routine: It’s easy to do what worked yesterday, but if we keep doing what worked yesterday there’s a point where tomorrow’s not that exciting. Yet if we strive towards a forecasted future for ourselves that’s when we’ll become our own motivation: that’s when we not only build dreams but achieve more.

Perceptions: Often what we see at the beginning isn’t what we know at the end, and when we bend perceptions we see opportunity; we clarify purpose and achieve some awesome things.

Time: I’m too old... I’m too young…how about starting to say and believe that this time, right now, is just right. A good friend of mine has recently introduced me to the quote “imperfect action is better than perfect inaction”.

Earlier this year I summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro having never done anything like it before, during a busy time of year. At the point of saying yes I was uncertain of what was required to reach the top, but the reasons for saying yes were more awesome than the perceived reasons for saying no. I did the climb with 20 people I consider champions because of what they’ve been able to achieve in the world. As I spent time with each person I asked them about their journey, their steps towards success, and there were two things that hit me. They were all proud of what they had achieved and they all said that whenever things became comfortable, they kept pushing. In a group of our size we were told 80- 90% would likely make it to the top. But 100% of us did because when we become familiar to pushing the comfort zone excellence is the only option.

Step beyond your comfort zone, be proud, dream big and achieve more.


By: , Bending Perceptions, Inspiring Change
cam@camcalkoen.com

Issue 103 October 2019