{Make sure you read all the way to the end of this post! I did something very unlike me to break out of my comfort zone last week and I want to tell you all about it!}
One of the best ways to get me anxious and nerved up is to tell me to push outside my comfort zone, break out of my shell, push my limits, or the always popular “dream big.” What I usually feel like saying back is something along the lines of NO WAY!
When it comes to trying new things, taking on new challenges, reaching for bigger goals, or pretty much making myself uncomfortable in any way, I’m the first one to shrink back and come up with excuses as to why I shouldn’t. But I have to remind myself that life opens up or squinches down according to my courage, and if I live in a constant state of status quo, then I can expect status quo results.
Since this week’s theme on our calendar is to Push Outside Your Comfort Zone, I thought I’d share 5 things I’ve learned about breaking out a little and stretching myself personally.
- Start small. You don’t have to fly to the moon or climb a mountain in order to stretch yourself. When we think of pushing beyond our limits, we often think BIG, but sometimes the very best ways to challenge ourselves are actually quite small. Pushing ourselves a little harder on a small scale will help us carry the confidence we build into bigger, “more important” situations. Starting small may look like challenging yourself a little more in a workout, eating out less during the week and committing to cooking at home, or calling up a friend or family member you haven’t spoken with in too long. Remember that small changes can equal big results.
- Ask yourself questions. One of the best ways to find out where you need to stretch yourself in your life is to host a little interview with yourself. Ask yourself questions about your current life circumstances, what you’re happy with, what you’re unhappy with, how you feel spiritually (renewed, at peace, in turmoil, up and down, etc.), where you want to be in 6 months/1 year/5 years, what your relationships are like, what is your biggest fear, what brings you the greatest joy, are you content in your job, do you feel validated and valued as a person, what role does serving others and giving back play in your current life? Digging a little deeper and trying to “get a read on” your spirit is a great way to start taking inventory of your current desires, aspirations, and fears, which all play a role in helping you break out of your comfort zone.
- Identify obstacles. Take at look at what it is that’s holding you back from pushing your limits and taking a leap. Time, money, and prior obligations are three big ones, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be overcome! With creativity and a resilient spirit, you can do a lot! As my dad always says: time and money give you more options, true, but real change and growth can happen anywhere, anytime, with anyone.
- Stop worrying! So often we hold back from doing challenging things because we worry way too much and talk ourselves out of it before we can even begin. I am an expert at this. How many times have I held back because I freaked myself out by running through every possible negative outcome in my head? Too many to count. While there’s a balance between doing something challenging and doing something stupid, I think worry makes us hit the brakes more often than not in situations that would actually be good for us.
- Go with the flow. Once you decide to push yourself and take on a challenge, don’t be so rigid that any little hiccup or change in plan throws you into a tizzy. I need quite a bit of work on this one (ahem, see last week’s post on perfectionism…). Although I’m not very good at it, the few times that I’ve tried to just “enjoy the journey” and not fight the inevitable ups and downs, the end result has been so much easier to achieve and more rewarding as well.
Taking a Leap!
I did something very unlike myself to break out of my comfort zone last week. A little back story: in early June, my parents left Wisconsin for an extended trip to visit my sister and her family in Utah. Because I have just the one sister, that means that my entire immediate family would be in Utah for a few weeks (except me). My dad retired from his career of 30 years in May, so the “big trip out west” was sort of supposed to be a retirement kick-off for him and my mom.
About 10 days ago, I decided that if I could find a ticket in my price range, I would fly out and surprise my whole family over Father’s Day weekend with a special visit! I haven’t seen my sister or her family since January. Although I doubted that a ticket would fall into my preferred range, I was eating breakfast one day and happened to hop online to check things out…and sure enough!
Normally, I’m not one to “impulsively” hop on a plane and go somewhere, let alone keep it all under wraps from my family who I talk to every day. Keeping a secret has never been so difficult! But I decided that rearranging my schedule a bit, taking a few days off, and breaking out of my comfort zone to do it would be 100% worth it once I saw the looks on their faces when I showed up on the doorstep.
I booked the ticket and found myself swelling with excitement right away even though I wouldn’t be leaving for a week. As the departure day drew closer, butterflies took up permanent residence in my stomach. The day before I left, my hands were literally shaking all day, I could hardly eat anything, and I barely slept a wink that night!
But as I expected, all of the angst and nervous energy was so worth it! When I arrived on my sister’s doorstep, I felt like my chest might burst open with excitement. She opened the door and the look on her face was absolutely priceless. Seeing my nephew and his happy little face made everything worthwhile!
I know that breaking out of your comfort zone is not always easy, but in most cases it changes you for the better, as this past weekend did for me. Time spent with my family is so precious and enjoyable. I truly cannot express how glad I am that I “went with my gut,” booked the ticket, and did something I never thought I would do!
On Father’s Day, we all spent the day together relaxing in the sun, chatting up a storm, and of course enjoying a delicious meal to celebrate. My brother-in-law grilled grass-fed burgers and organic chicken sausages, and to go with we enjoyed a creamy tahini broccoli salad, fresh watermelon, and a festive summery dessert: this fruit pizza!
I didn’t write the recipe down, but I may just have to make it again so I can share it with you this summer! It was an almond shortbread crust topped with a lemon cinnamon cashew cream and loads of beautiful organic fresh fruit. So simple but so delicious.
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That’s it for now. I hope that this week brings you plenty of opportunities to push outside your comfort zone!
