Took a Step Outside My Comfort Zone!
Last Wednesday night, I did something that terrified me. I performed improv in front of a live audience. And yes I was scared. In fact for the weeks leading up to the show, I was getting more and more worried. Would I mess up? Would I not be funny or entertaining? Would I look stupid next to my talented classmates?
Despite my worries the show, which was part of my Second City improv class, was a great success. We all worked well together, a critical ingredient in improv, and it was a blast. When I reflected on the show, I realized that it really didn’t matter if I was good, got laughs or was truly talented. I wasn’t planning on having a career in improv.
Rather for me what was important was that I stepped outside my comfort zone. I took a chance to do something different, risky and uncomfortable. I expanded my boundaries by doing something I didn’t think I could. As a result, it’s opened me up to taking more chances, having more fun and nudging those boundaries with greater ease next time. What have you done lately to expand your boundaries?
Want to step outside your comfort zone but not sure how to start?
Try these strategies:
Do something new each day
It doesn’t have to be scary, simply shake up your routine. Take a new route to work, have something different for breakfast or have lunch with a new colleague. Try it for a full week and see how even small changes can make a big difference in expanding your boundaries.
Consider working with a coach
A coach is your personal cheerleader and champion who works with you on your goals and dreams. It helps to have someone in your corner when you want to make changes that require stepping outside your comfort zone. As a certified coach, I always offer a sample session so clients can see if we are a good fit. If you are interested in an no obligation sample session, please email me at wwoods@watershedtraining.ca
Do what doesn’t come naturally to you
According to an Inc article, try something that doesn’t come easy for you. If you are a big picture thinker, then try to approach a problem being more detailed oriented. If you tend to be more task oriented, consider thinking more about the people and vice versa. This will give you another approach and probably give you a greater appreciation for these other skills.
