am never intimidated by what
I don’t know. Not knowing often allows me to do things differently to others. What intimidates me though is my comfort zone. Because I know how hard it is to pull yourself out of the very zone you feel safe in. It’s one of the toughest things to do. Whenever I catch myself in my comfort zone, I always imagine myself standing in the middle of an invisible circle. A bubble. Within this bubble, there isn’t much incentive for me to reach new heights of performance. It’s here that people go about routines, avoiding any form of risk, causing their progress to plateau. Pushing the limits of our comfort zone can bring meaning to our lives.
I
Change happens outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when you step out. So when you find yourself standing in the middle of that invisible circle; you will know when that is because we always know, you need to step outside. Clear your head and remind yourself of who you are, where you want to go and why you want to go there. Sometimes you even have to venture outside your world to find yourself.
When we're in our comfort zone, we convince ourselves that we actually enjoy the things we currently do and dislike the ones we don’t. In our comfort zone we are accustomed to the comforts of "I cannot", "I do not want to" and "it's too difficult". So we convince ourselves that “they're just not for us”. And with every thought we build thicker walls between ourselves and everything else that makes us uncomfortable. However, as you begin to take on new challenges and experiences, your comfort zone somewhat changes. Even the smallest changes make a difference. You will see new opportunities in place of the barriers you thought once were there.
Take the plunge.
Take some risks.
Watch the walls start to come down.
As my husband, business partner and mentor Steve McAree always says, "Don't be afraid of the storm Ozge, because you already know how to dance in the rain." These words always encourage me, even although I'm generally dancing in the lounge.
Over the years, I've also learned that the key to success, (whatever success means to you) is the ability to keep your long-term goal in mind at all times.This seems to be the real skill. Because every day we are surrounded by distractions. Every day we are tempted to do those things that are likely to take us off our route. The good news is that we already have the power to develop this skill. The skill of being able to remember what our long-term goals are. So that when we're tempted or distracted by something, that some part of us remembers what these goals are.
It's called willpower.
I've learned that Willpower is a general strength that improves everything.
It's basically this ability to regulate your thoughts, your emotions so that you can do what matters most, even when there are temptations and distractions around you. Even when you have other conflicting goals and opportunities.
That's the key to success.
And as someone who has been exercising for almost two decades,
I believe physical exercise and movement, in general, are powerful vehicles in finding our willpower, our strength and the courage to take the action necessary to achieve our goals. Some fitness inspiration anyone?
any of us are constantly striving to grow professionally and personally in our
lives. Over the years, I've noticed that whenever I wait for the right time to begin doing something, the right time never comes.
I also noticed that it's easier (and safer) to stand on the sidelines to convince myself of all the reasons why I shouldn’t do that thing. The sidelines by the way, are really crowded.
I've learned however, in order to get in the game, I need to take action.
And that I don't even have to wait to feel motivated first.
Because I've learned that if I do, I may actually wait a really long time to get that feeling and never end up doing anything. Because motivation actually comes, only when you take that first step. Only when you start doing.
The thing is; it isn’t that we don’t feel motivated, it’s that we imagine we need to feel motivated.
Most importantly, I've learned that there is never going to be a perfect place or perfect moment to begin and that I just need to begin wherever I am with whatever makes sense.
Beginning is what makes things perfect.
So I now just begin.
Anywhere.
Begin anywhere.
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M
Ozge