Why Its Never Smooth Sailing
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” — Brian Tracy
When we take responsibility for our lives, serendipitous events unfold and lead us to awaken our inherent wisdom. We should step out of our comfort zone and meet life passionately and fervently at this level. Here’s an all-too-common scenario in people’s lives, illustrating how settling sometimes can lead to apathy and comfort. Life hands us lemons — at least, that’s what we suspect from where we stand. We may be sick and tired of being stuck in a rut. Perhaps we feel uninspired, emotionally drained, and lacking direction. We mustn’t despair since we may simply be experiencing an internal shift. From time to time, we may suffer periods of uncertainty, which, on the surface, appears as though our world is sinking. We might feel helpless and unable to navigate our journey ahead.
Though we can’t pinpoint it, something isn’t quite right — we know that part at least. Life seems harder and requires more effort than usual. Everything is a chore. We feel emotional turbulence at the slightest episode when things don’t go according to plan. Can you relate to feeling this way of being? Rest assured; life isn’t always smooth sailing. Seeking refuge in that statement liberates us from pushing against life’s forces. Like any journey, the intention to reach one’s destination is typically heralded by a goal or a plan, though we may not anticipate the rough waters ahead. We might have to sail our boat in uncharted waters to reach our final destination. Life’s journey is filled with countless lessons, which many fail to concede when embroiled in their drama.
Why Change Can Be Debilitating
“Get out of that comfortable rut.” ― Denis Waitley, The Psychology of Winning
In Paulo Coelho’s acclaimed book The Alchemist, the young shepherd boy Santiago travels the world to find treasure and his legend. Ultimately, as he draws to the end of his journey, he discovers his treasure is right where he started. He recognizes his trek worldwide, which filled him with wisdom and knowledge, owing to the people he met along the way. His journey had not been a waste of time, for he has gained much from his experience searching for his treasure. I wish to remind you that contained within every effort, every step, and every so-called failure draws you closer to your treasure — your pot of gold.
Nothing is wasted. No effort has been in vain. There is a rhythm and timing to the universe we can abide by to realize our potential. With that in mind, stepping out of our comfort zone may be paralyzing to some since there is a level of anxiety associated with uncertainty. We become accustomed to the familiar that rocking the boat destabilizes our equilibrium. The author Neale Donald Walsch of the acclaimed spiritual book series Conversations with God reminds us: “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.”
Dealing with uncertainty and change can be debilitating in terms of our imposed stress, yet seemingly, to live a compelling future requires stepping out of the familiar to reach new horizons. Remember, our response to life is paramount to the level of personal growth we undertake. Most people thrive in ideal situations, although this does not test one’s character. Our response to life’s uncertainties determines our level of inner growth, especially when the tides are against us. For example, entrepreneurs require confidence to never give up on their plan or vision since the economic forces are constantly against them. There should be an inherent self-belief, an unyielding motivation, and a desire to prevail.
Considering this, I encourage you to adopt a similar quality in stepping out of your comfort zone. Do not rest on your laurels since it is easy — remember, easy is not where the fruit of your success lies. You should be willing to take risks, whether big or small, and gradually move in the direction of your dreams. Moreover, I invite you to think big and act big to gain greater rewards in life. Are you comfortable putting this advice into practice? I trust you are because sometimes, the small step towards your goals can lead to giant strides of momentum.
Success Leaves Clues
“As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal.” — Robin S. Sharma
David J. Schwartz, in The Magic of Thinking Big, highlights that our belief in ourselves is the foundation of achievement. Those who trust in their ability to overcome challenges find the strength to succeed, while those who doubt themselves are held back. Belief is the key that unlocks our potential to act. Familiarity keeps us safe and oftentimes stuck and stagnant. Most people are quite content to sail through life impervious to their potential. They would rather not take risks if life does not develop as they hoped. Subsequently, their self-esteem takes a hit, and they perceive themselves as failures. Yet failure and self-esteem are not inextricably linked. You are not a failure because your goals fail to materialize how you hoped. You may have been unsuccessful in reaching your goal, although you may be drawing closer to success each time, yet unaware of it. American motivational speaker and author Tony Robbins famously said, “Success leaves clues.” This reminds us to learn from the trail left by our failures and persist in our efforts until we reach success.
Stepping out of our comfort requires us to extend our boundaries to create a fulfilling life. Those successful people we look up to have pushed past their comfort zones to reach their current level of mastery. They broke through many a glass ceiling to create a new way of life and paved the way for others to follow. That is the inviting aspect of pushing past our comfort zone — we serve as a guidepost for others to follow by breaking ground in our pursuit. Yet, as alluring as it might seem to push through our comfort zone, we do not want to make it a constant quest. Integrating our experiences becomes paramount since it is defined by our learning and inner growth, which becomes the focal point of pushing past our comfort level.
With that in mind, reflect on your current goal, project, or dream. Write down three actions you should be taking to venture out of your comfort zone. Don’t get hung up on the hows for now; pay attention to the required action. Are you willing to stretch yourself a little each time to get closer to your goal? Are you willing to get uncomfortable for a while as you venture into endless possibilities? Your response will dictate whether you take inspired action or lament a missed opportunity: choose wisely, my friend!
Are You Ready to Transform Your Life with Confidence?
Are you ready to transform your life and unlock your potential? Start your journey with me today! My Life Coaching Program has empowered many to achieve lasting change. Schedule your FREE 30-minute consultation now and take the first step towards a brighter, more confident you.
Tony Fahkry
Expert Life Coach
