Do Something Scary

We all have a tendency to want to stay in our comfort zone, to stay safe, comfortable and secure in our own cocoon, the environment that we know well. Sometimes though it’s good to just get out there and be brave. Knowing that – everything will be all right and we are probably stronger than we think.

Since I’ve been running my own business, I have a voice inside me (no, it’s alright you don’t have to drag me off in a strait-jacket) that tends to pipe up and say ‘Yes, I’ll do that’ when actually my gut reaction is probably to do the opposite – ‘Oh no, I can’t do that’. For me it usually revolves around getting up in front of people and speaking.

I remember going to my first official breakfast network meeting – you know, where you have to stand up and talk about your business for a minute. I didn’t know what to say and was very nervous. However, a few months later and I’d agreed to stand up in front of about 50 businessmen and talk about what I did – that really was scary. Breakfast meetings no longer hold the same fear. When asked to speak at my local Chamber last month, I said yes – then thought Yikes!

Now as a time management tactic – saying no is a good thing to do but I’m talking about saying yes to those opportunities that present themselves, getting out of your comfort zone by doing something you know is going to be challenging. Even if it’s just going out for the evening instead of staying in, especially when it’s cold, wet and raining outside.

I was reminded of this again today when I read about doing something scary every day. It doesn’t have to be as extreme as going bungee jumping, or abseiling off tall buildings but confronting something that scares you or that you wouldn’t normally do or perhaps have been putting off. Now I’m not talking about doing anything illegal or that is a risk to life and limb or anyone else but just doing something different, trying something new.

Do one thing this week that makes you feel uncomfortable.