Why You Should Do One Thing Every Day That Scares You

“Do one thing that scares you a day” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Ok, that might sound a little dramatic but there’s some truth in it.  When was the last time you felt that rush of adrenaline as you stepped out of your comfort zone?  Today?  Yesterday?  Weeks ago?  Can’t remember?

I’m going out of my comfort zone a lot at the moment.  In truth, it’s both scary and it’s rewarding.  Scary because I don’t know what I’m doing half of the time – who’d have thought that I could set up my own blog?  Rewarding because it’s good to realise that I can do it (sorry for the cheese).

The Lull Of My 40’s

In another post, I wrote about how easy it was to stay in your comfort zone.  I hit my 40’s and began to feel bored.  In all honesty, I think I was a bit bored of me.  There was a gap in my life and I didn’t know how to fill it.

Don’t get me wrong, I was happy but do you ever get that sense that something is missing?

My work had changed; I didn’t have such a ‘high-flying’ job so wasn’t being challenged as much as I used to be.  I travelled a lot with work too and wasn’t doing that any more (I was travelling to Leeds now rather than Seattle 😊).

In my mid 30’s, I became a mum for the first time.  My late 30’s and early 40’s were a bit of a haze due to sleep deprivation.  And I felt this loss of identity too.  My work-identity was so strong and ingrained in me and my mum-identity was completely new and rather unknown to me.

My Courageous 20’s Or So I Seem To Remember

My memories of my 20’s are of a courageous young woman; someone who used to step out of her comfort zone and take on new challenges.  But things had changed, maybe it was motherhood; I’m not sure.  I do know though that since having kids I worry more than I have ever done before.

I Want Some Of The Old-Me Back

To use a bit of a cliché, I realised I was stuck in a rut.   The more I stayed in it (my comfort zone), the more reluctant I was to go out of it.  And you get to the point where you don’t ever want to go out of it.

A friend of mine said this, ‘you have to be careful.  If you stop going out of your comfort zone, you can get into a rut.  The less you do, the deeper you get in this rut.  I’ve seen this happen to so many people.  And then you just get scared of doing stuff, you get out of the habit.’

Kick Up The A***

And she was right.  I realised that I needed to give myself a kick up the a***.  I wanted to do something that was scary.  Not something that would put me in danger but something that would light up a spark in me.

It was at this point that I decided that I needed to do something different and that’s why I started to write a book and start my blog.  It’s a roller coaster of emotions.  Sometimes I’m scared stiff and sometimes I feel calm and empowered.  But I know I need to do it (my blog) to see where it all leads.

How Are Other Women Feeling?

When I was doing research for my book, I spoke to lots of women about how they felt about going out of their comfort zone.  Some loved going out of their comfort zone, some hated it but still did it and some stayed firmly put.

I wanted to share with you 10 things my friends are doing to step out of their comfort zone:

Learning To Drive

‘Last week, at the age of 43, I am learning how to drive. It feels a little scary but I’m thrilled to be mastering a new skill.’

Learning To Scuba Dive

‘Learning to scuba dive was the last time I went out of my comfort zone.  I am very claustrophobic and have a fear of drowning. I forced myself to obtain a PADI open water certificate to overcome this fear.  I learnt that if I believed I could overcome a goal then I can do it if I set my mind to it.’ (my friend lives in Australia).

Setting Up My Business

‘I’m definitely stepping out of it.  I am retraining, studying part-time and also setting up my business.  I am totally out of my comfort zone these days!’

Just Getting A Grip!

‘Sometimes I have to say to myself – ‘for goodness sake woman, get a grip’ – and I force myself to tackle new things.’

Getting A Pay Rise

‘I tackled my boss about a pay rise and got one.  I work long hours, always deliver my projects on time and I just feel under paid for the work I do.’

Doing A Presentation

‘The last time was when I did a presentation at law school.  I was very nervous beforehand but really relieved and pleased once done.’

Taking On A New Project

‘I recently took on a project for a new client which meant putting myself under a lot of time pressure.  I didn’t want to take the job on but I talked to my husband about it and he encouraged me and I took the job on and felt great afterwards.’

Moving House and Meeting New People

‘We moved house in January and then again in July.  We moved to a different town, different schools, whole change of lifestyle for the family.  When we first moved, I had to take my little girl to birthday parties.  I had to therefore meet new people and I had to push myself to do this for her sake.  I was a little out of my comfort zone just standing there as though I had a sign on my forehead saying, ‘hi I’m the new Mum’, with everyone looking at me.’

Internet Dating

‘I went on an Internet date!’

Returning to Work

‘Going back to work.  I had this feeling of utter dread every time I thought about it.  I just had no confidence in my skills nor my experience.   I felt awful before but it has proved very empowering.’

Skiing

‘How I managed to ski I don’t know.  The guy that I have lessons with said that you really have to give it everything that you have got.  I’m not a brilliant skier even now but I’m as good as I can be.  And those bloody ski lifts!  I never thought that I would have skied but I’m really enjoying it and have stuck at it.’

Ok, think that might be 11 things.  Read by post on 12 secrets to stepping out of your comfort zone.

Thanks

Lou