Anything I have ever done that holds great meaning for me today, originally scared me to death! This holds true across every major area of my life – relationships, health, career, business, and finances. Mike Dooley, author of Notes from the Universe, notes… “No one ever regrets raising the bar, ever, ever, ever.” And yet, many of us back away from stretching our comfort zone and play a smaller game than our heart desires!
I think most of us know someone who is working in an unsatisfactory job, who wants to leave but who is afraid to lose the financial security they derive from the job. Similarly, most of us know people who stay in an unhealthy relationship rather than risk working on it or changing it. We think that maintaining the status quo is safe and secure. The truth is that it isn’t! When we hang out in a state of inertia for any length of time, we not only become sluggish, but we also begin to decay! In light of this, consider a risk you have taken that you are so glad you did. Relish the feelings and rewards you experienced as a result of mustering up the courage to take a risk. Consider where you are currently playing it safe in your life…. where you are languishing. What is it costing you? What are your true heart’s desires in this area of your life? Now choose any area of your life where you’d like to have a breakthrough, in terms of your results, your experiences or both…
What if I told you that you don’t have to muster great courage to take the steps forward into what you want – that you could breakthrough safely and with ease? I’m thinking you would jump at the chance – you just wouldn’t think it is possible! Well… I’m here to say that it is! The trick is to extend your comfort zone to where it is a stretch not a leap. (See diagram below).
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Leaping can land us into trouble which is why we avoid it. Even the thought of leaping can cause panic. Stretching, on the other hand, might be a bit uncomfortable but it is the ticket to raising the bar! The segue is LEARNING… learning the right stuff at the right time with the proper support is exciting, it removes fear from the equation and creates magical results! |
Your next step, then??? I hope it is LEARNING! Positioning yourself to stretch yourself with new learning is the best antidote to stagnation and living life unfulfilled, I know!
~ Pam Lewis, Director & Program Leader