What are you afraid of right now? If not outright fear, where do
you feel resistance in your life? Is it centered around new technology? Changes
in your community? Conversations with people who don’t share your political or
social views?
Whatever your fear, I would advise you to explore the possibility
of embracing it. We gain a great deal when we explore our fear, hold it up to
the light, and try to get an objective picture of what, exactly, scares us.
Often our fear is basic: Humiliation. Failure. Bewilderment.
Embarrassment. As children, we are forced constantly into our fear. From the
darkness of a bedroom at night to falling off that bike for the first time, we
are in a perpetual state of fear, revelation, and ultimately mastery.
As we age, adulthood gives us a terrible power: We’re allowed to
stay in our comfort zone. It’s much easier to charge down the path of
resistance when authority figures are standing by, telling you there’s no
choice. The older we get, the less likely we are to find those “encouraging”
mentors at our back, telling us to pedal like there’s no tomorrow.
I guarantee this week you will confront a situation where the
world will ask you to step outside your comfort zone. It might be an invitation
to an event, a new presentation, or a meeting with a difficult client. You’ll
have the option to retreat to your comfort zone, but I hope you will consider
the alternative. Say “yes, absolutely!” before you have a chance to say no.
The real magic happens when you step outside your comfort zone.
Who doesn’t recall the thrilling feeling of the wind in the face as you charged
down the street on your first bike? The sudden realization you could conquer
the neighborhood! Where was the pain of the skinned knee then? Long forgotten,
of course.
Go rediscover that productive discomfort this week.
Wishing you the very best,
Valerie McConville
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