I spent a lot of time outside my comfort zone this last weekend. I was in a completely different environment… doing something I hadn’t done in over 40 years. I was nervous. I was excited. I did it. And now I think I’m much better off for it.
Here’s an interesting blog by Michael Hyatt (Intentional Leadership) on Why Frequent Trips Outside Your Comfort Zone Are So Important.
He references climbing a 30′ pole (which we call a ‘pamper pole’)… but the point is made. He also shares 7 ways to maximize these trips outside your comfort zone.
- 1. Acknowledge the value. For me, great value in preparing hard, fitness, focus, etc. The biggest value will be tremendous empathy for Notre Dame Boxers who step into the ring. I know how they feel.
- 2. Lean into the experience. Don’t back away. If you’re going to do it, go for it.
- 3. Notice your fear. It wasn’t fear of the opponent but definitely ‘fear’ of letting people down, not looking good, not boxing well, etc. I definitely noticed all of this.
- 4. Don’t over-think it. I did… and it was terrible! I had a great ‘plan’. I knew all the ‘combinations’ I was going to throw. And then Sun Tzu and Leon Spinks struck. “Everybody has a plan until first contact with the enemy.” “Everybody has a plan until they get hit.”
- 5. Play full out. I tried hard to do this.
- 6. Celebrate the victory. I’m still trying to figure out how to do that. I know that I feel good about what was done and want to acknowledge the moment. The best way for me is (as Michael Hyatt says) to express my appreciation to all those who helped make it happen. (Family, Kerry and Taggart; Wolfie; Tim, Andre and John at Sullivan Brothers, sparring partners, et al.)
- 7. Pause to reflect. Going to give myself a week or so and then figure out what all that meant.
Note: APPLICATION of getting out of your comfort zone is not just physical challenges. It’s asking your top 3 prospects for help and a transformational gift. It’s going to your Board and asking for their help at 30,000’… and leaving you alone at 3′. It’s having that difficult ‘bus’ conversation with a team member who is just not the right fit moving forward.
All of us need to get out of our comfort zones way more often.
