The Comfort Zone!

It’s such an easy place to slip into and so much harder to climb out. Have you ever eased into a comfort zone? Were you really happy there, or did it per chance haunt you a little as well?

I have totally been there! I liked it and I despised it!

Inside the fortress of the comfort zone it’s warm and cozy isn’t it? It feels safe, easy and pleasant, kind of like being in a cocoon—or what one might imagine a cocoon to be. No agitation, no stress and no demands of one’s self so what’s not to like? Hmmm!  What’s not to like?

Everything—including yourself.  Can you relate?

Years ago (in my twenties – mid thirties) my comfort zone was to hide from public speaking. Hey, when you fail Toastmasters it’s bad! Uttering words in front of a room full of people was my #1 greatest fear. The very thought of talking to a group, even people I knew, filled me with irrational and inexplicable terror.

Just butterflies, you’re thinking!  Are you kidding? More like a pack of hungry wolves with evil intent to devour me from within!

I declined invitations if there was the remotest chance of being asked to speak. When I was a realtor I begged others to take my place if asked to make an announcement at the Monday morning listing promotions. I hid behind my hero-hubby, who gallantly shared his own listings—and mine too.

In those days, while I was fine in a one on one, or one on two setting, I would do anything to avoid speaking to a group, which was really strange behavior since I actually had won a speech contest when I was 17! Weird!

Whenever I escaped the dreaded request to speak I was flooded with relief but only in the moment.  To avoid the fear and stay in my cozy little zone was instant gratification.  I could relax again and the angry wolves morphed into cute little cuddly puppy dogs! I was calm inside once more.

My euphoria and relief was short lived. Within minutes, while safely in my comfort zone, or so I thought, an invader penetrated my fortress, and an unpleasant feeling disrupted my short-lived peace.

Hello rabble-rouser! You’re disturbing my serenity!  Discomfort arrived. It took up residence in my being and shook my core. The real me, the courageous side of me, showed up prepared to do battle. Ugh!

Fact is that deep down I despised the weakness of giving in to fear and retreating.  I hated it more than the fear itself. I felt like a coward. I really disliked that side of me, and in the safety of my comfort zone, I  always vowed to conquer the fear and stay out of the zone.

“Next time I will face the fear and I will speak, no matter how terrified I am, or how shaky my voice or how stuttering my words” I’d say to myself. Thus I would bravely resolve—until the next time, when once again I retreated deep into my safe zone.

Then I’d be furious with myself again, and I’d promise to leap out of the comfort zone—the next time. And so the cycle perpetuated for years. No amount of resolve or discomfort seemed strong enough to be effective,  until ….

Until I started my business. You see, I absolutely love people and nothing brings greater joy than the rewards of helping them get healthier and happier. I am flipping passionate about it. It gets me out of bed in the morning. The passion to share something so good was far greater than any fear—and stronger than the desire to run and hide in my zone.

Discomfort was a catalyst, but passion was my compulsion.

Passion and love for others helped me face the wolves that stalked me at the terrifying thought of speaking to a group. Slowly but surely, I faced the fear and ventured out of my comfort zone. Finally I conquered it. Lol!  Now I get butterflies but they flutter off in formation when I begin to speak.

Lesson learned: Sometimes it’s discomfort that disturbs your comfort zone and sometimes it’s passion that compels you out!

Now it’s your turn to share. Tell me if you’ve ever faced and conquered a fear. Have you escaped from your comfort zone. Tell us how you did it!

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9