Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Warning! Change Is Hazardous To Your Comfort!

So, we've been talking and thinking about what it takes to make changes and move outside our comfort zone, our box. We've learned from pioneers and we've been inspired by courageous change. With those thoughts fresh in your mind maybe now you are ready. Maybe you've decided that it is time for you to take a step beyond the perimeter and begin to explore some unfamiliar territory. Before you do, you should be prepared for a few things.

You are going to be excited…and scared. Once you have decided to begin moving in an unfamiliar direction you are going to be excited about the prospect of a new aspect of your life. As you begin to ponder your new venture and imagine yourself actually doing it, you are going to be thrilled by the vision. However, at the same time you are going to have a LOT of questions. “What if I fall flat on my face?” “Can I really do this?” “What will those important to me think about it?” “Is this really going to be worth the sacrifice?”

I want to encourage you not to ignore the questions, but don’t be overwhelmed by them either.  Face the reality that there will be moments of failure as you make this journey outside the box. It is inevitable. But be sure to look at your failures as steps to learn on that will bring you closer to your goal. The most important thing is to keep moving toward fulfilling your God-given purpose.  Every step, even every failure, is part of the journey. Just keep stepping!

You are going to feel uncomfortable. None of us remember taking our first steps. Our brains just can’t hold on to a monumental moment that occurred when we were so small. However, all of us have seen a baby learning to walk. At first, she may be tentative about walking on her own and reach constantly for the hand of an adult. After a while, she lets go of the steadying hand, but stays nearby a comforting leg or a piece of furniture. It seems to me that toddlers pretty much skip actually walking once they get comfortable. After they've gained confidence, they don’t go anywhere without running!

Learn from the babies! You are going to feel unsteady as you take your first steps. It’s normal. It’s okay to lean on someone who has traveled the road you are just beginning. It’s wise, in fact. You are going to fall down. Get back up! I have never seen a baby fall down and decide that they are going to give up walking for good. They may crawl again for a bit. They may need a little comforting, but usually they are back on their feet lickety-split and running toward the next interesting thing their eye catches. When you stumble, evaluate where you went wrong, determine what you need to learn, get some comfort if necessary and GET BACK UP! And just for the record: Been there. Done that. I survived and so can you.

You are going to realize just how much you need to learn. Every failure is a learning opportunity. You can’t learn to swim unless you are actually in the water. It looks different once you jump in, but you learn pretty quickly how to keep afloat. Then you can develop some technique.

 In swimming, and so many other areas of life, you can only learn so much from watching someone else do it. You can learn some things, but once you have actually tried what you have only watched, you begin to watch differently. You begin to see what works and what doesn't  Not only that you begin to imagine yourself trying the things that work. Then next time you get an opportunity you will have more skills in your arsenal. The important thing is to remember that you will never arrive. You will always be learning. Once you accept that the journey takes on the continual joy of learning something new with every step.

Dear friend, you are going to find so much joy in your journey. Learning something new is exhilarating, once you get past feeling scared and insecure.  It’s the journey that is the important part. Success can be measured in actually taking the first step, not in how effective that first step turns out to be. There will be others, right? What are you waiting for? Step outside!

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