What comfort zone?

“In this world you’re either growing or dying, so get in motion and grow.” – Lou Holtz

How often are you so nervous that the butterflies in your stomach make you feel sick?  So scared that you wonder if you’ve made the wrong decision?  So removed from the comfort of your everyday that you question your sanity?

Life happens when we step beyond our comfort zone.  It could be getting onto a plane to see somewhere new, even though you’re terrified of flying.  It could be asking for a promotion or a pay rise.  Or making a sales call.  It could be diving off the 10m platform, running your first marathon or simply pushing beyond your usual limits in a training session.

When I decided to blog about comfort zones this week, I was thinking about training.  About pushing yourself to higher intensities, to boost your fitness further and faster.  Then I got distracted (it happens often).  Taking risks and overcoming big fears is much more interesting.  And once you do something you never thought you could do, you’ll be so energised that you’ll train well no matter what.

Some of the biggest fears I’ve overcome are now a normal part of my life.  You’ve heard about my fear of ocean swims before.  I used to pull out of races in a panic.  I have the scars to show that one time I was so scared, I couldn’t focus on where I was going and swam into a rock (no waves, no currents, just blinded by fear).  I was scared to even go to swim squad.  But not now.  I swim in a squad every week and I’ve done a handful of the big ocean swim races.  And it still feels so good, every single time I cross that finish line.

It can be easier to live a little life.  To stick with what we know and keep challenges few and far between.  But since when was easy the best option?  Why not be a role model for your kids, an inspiration for your friends and a surprise to yourself?  Who knows what adventures you’ll find on the way.