Venture into the Discomfort Zone

Top achievers realize that growth comes only by setting goals that require them to stretch their comfort zone. Yes, stretching adds an element of risk. It seems a lot of people don't understand that the rewards come after the risk, not the other way around. To experience the rewards of life, we must pay up front. Interestingly enough, we never know when we will be rewarded, but the rewards do come. Those who don't invest up front always search for the easy way, convinced that it exists. Don't go through life picking only the low-hanging fruit.

As children we are always exploring, taking risks and trying new adventures. Unfortunately as we age, we become more rigid in sticking within our comfort zone. If we inadvertently venture into the discomfort zone, or we are forced into it, we immediately attempt to recoil back into our comfort zone. We cocoon ourselves in our comfort zone, protecting ourselves against possible failure or embarrassment.

Successful sales entrepreneurs are not necessarily more competent, but they do look for ways to grow and stretch. They willingly expose themselves to new things by venturing into the discomfort zone. Use your comfort zone to rest in, not to live in. Use it to consciously relax and reenergize as you visualize performing your next challenge.

Take a piece of paper or even at the bottom of this page write down the last time you willingly experienced a stretch. Give it some thought. Drawing a blank? Don't feel bad, most people do. Note that I said willingly, not accidentally. On a personal note, I would like to share a story where I stretched my comfort zone. I went skydiving. I climbed to 11,000 feet and jumped out. It was a tandem jump where the jump master was strapped onto my back and he had the parachute. The two things I liked best about my tandem jump were freefalling for a full 60 seconds at 125 mph—wow! and the jump master assuring me he was anxious for a successful jump as well. You see, sometimes life itself presents us with challenges that take us out of our comfort zone, forcing us to experience new things. It may be a spouse, parents, boss, or sales manager forcing us to stretch. Don't be like our caterpillar friends and wait around to experience a forced stretch. With that thought let me ask you two provocative questions;

When was the last time you did a first time?

How old are your stories? (Ouch!)

You may not like the answers but your customers expect you to be interesting as well as interested. Venture out and get some new material.

Tim Commandment #2
Use visualization and SMART goals to stretch yourself.

Ask: What is/was my stretch for the month?