When was the last time you did something that scared you… something outside your comfort zone?
Today, I’m having an OMCZ kinda day. That’s short for “Outside My Comfort Zone”…
I’m finalizing the edits on my online video course where I teach entrepreneurs how to create a card deck. I’ve done a fair amount of uncomfortable things in my life and after many years of working it, got a good grip on being able to feel the fear and do it anyway.
But damn!
That little bugger of an ego, is quite tenacious and persistent.
The ego is the part of us that is invested in keeping us small and scared. You’ll know it’s showing up when you hear it’s incessant voice in your head, the one that tries to convince you how you can’t do something. And it talks some crazy sh*t…
Although my course subject is one I’m really good at, one that is very familiar to me, one that comes really easy to me, I still have that dang voice talking nonsense.
It doesn’t care about the truth. It’s only interested in how you can’t. It happens to be worried that my course is too long or too short, or too good or not good enough, or too much information or not enough information. It’ll say things like, “What if people don’t buy it and what if they don’t like it?”.
OMG! What if they hate it?
OMCZ! You see the drama we create for ourselves.
As if that wasn’t enough on my plate, I signed up for another competition this week.
NO! NO! It’s not another bodybuilding figure competition. I’ve done that twice already and I think that might be enough for one lifetime. (Ok! If you’re curious, I’ve posted the picture at the bottom for you)
This competition is called Stretch Yourself Challenge.
My business coach Kelly McCausey has been holding this challenge for the past 10 years. This is my first year stretching myself and building my content marketing muscles.
Participants choose from 15 challenges that must be completed within 30 days. It’s a competition where you compete against the weight of your own limiting beliefs. She’s made if fun by dangling yummy prizes!
Once again, the goal is to stretch beyond what you usually do. Another push out of the comfort zone with the ultimate goal to grow yourself and your business.
And what is comfort anyway?
Just as an FYI, growth and comfort cannot coexist.
Given that option, I choose growth. Unless your talking shoes – then comfort always wins.
Anyway, I’m inviting you to see where you are willing to do something scary, step it up, stretch OYCZ (outside your comfort zone), so that you can grow.
Whether you have a formal competition you can enter, prizes you want to win or even if and especially when no one is watching – can you stretch yourself, step in what might feel uncomfortable and embrace the growth?
With that question on your mind, you might start hearing that voice chime in, whispering unsweet nothings. You might here things like, you never finish anything, why start now, it’s too late, you’re not good enough, you don’t have the money, you don’t have the time, you don’t have the support and blah blah.
I’m not ready to let any small talk stop me — not this time and not anytime — because I know it’s just a trick.
This is what I do to get myself out of a situation where I’m being pulled away from what I know is good for me.
I practice my core principle of “FALL IN LOVE WITH THE IDEA”. In this case, that looks like my card deck course helping hundreds of heart centered authors, speakers and coaches get their message out into the world in a fun and beautiful way. I’m also falling in love with the idea that my Facebook Live (the one I chose for Kelly’s Stretch Yourself ) will be super fun and informative and that I’ll be the winner of that prize I’m wanting.
So I focus on that.
I let the ego play its game and then I thank it for sharing. Then firmly tell it, “I’m not interested in why I can’t” and explain that “I’ve fallen in love”.
Then somehow magically, my heart begins to lead the show, allowing opportunity, possibility, excitement and fun to show up all around me.
What are you willing to stretch yourself with ? Are you willing to allow your heart to lead your show?
xxoo,
PS. Sure! Go ahead and try my technique and see how it works for you. I’d love to hear about your experiment.
Here I am at 53… super proud of myself for stepping it up and OMCZ for this one!
