Moving Beyond Your Comfort Zone
Many professionals have attained a high level of competence in their particular fields. They have learned a lot in their careers and they have a good sense of what works and what doesn't. Some individuals have become so good at what they do that they can successfully perform their jobs "with their eyes closed." These people are operating within their comfort zones. While operating within your comfort zone is safe, it does not give you the opportunity to grow in your career. You may be good at what you do, but if you continue to do things in the same way, your job may have a tendency to be boring. It may no longer offer you a challenge. Only by trying new things can you get your creative juices flowing and experience the thrill of reaching new heights of achievement. Trying new things does entail some risks. When you try something new you may experience a sense of discomfort. This comes from not being completely sure of what will lead to success. You will also very likely make mistakes along the way -- sometimes many mistakes. However, most of us don't like to make mistakes. We may be concerned about reactions from others. When we have achieved a level of competence in our jobs, we enjoy admiration from others. But as we make mistakes during the process of learning something new, we run the risk of looking foolish to others and feeling embarrassed. The way to deal with this inevitable part of the learning process is to look at mistakes as feedback. They are letting you know when you need to use a different strategy to accomplish something. They are learning guideposts, which let you know what you should continue doing and what you should change. Extraordinarily successful people in every field have made lots of mistakes -- that's how they became extraordinary. And if someone is "kind enough" to bring to your attention that you've made a mistake say, "I know. Isn't it great? Now I don't have to do it again." It will totally change that individual's reaction to the situation. Trying new things does offer wonderful payoffs. When you try something new and you persist at it, you usually become very good at it. In addition to having acquired a new skill, you can then experience the exhilaration of having faced a challenge and succeeding. So make a commitment to move beyond your comfort zone. Only by doing so can you move closer to becoming the best you can possibly be. Della Menechella is a speaker, author, and trainer who helps organizations achieve greater success by improving the performance of their people. She is a contributing author to Thriving in the Midst of Change and the author of the videotape The Twelve Commandments of Goal Setting. She can be reached at della@dellamenechella.com. Subscribe to free Peak Performance Pointers e-zine - send blank e-mail to subscribe@dellamenechella.com.
Related News
Essence of a bargain is the urgency to sell - Atlanta Journal Constitution
Essence of a bargain is the urgency to sellAtlanta Journal Constitution, USA -3 hours agoIt’s all about the motivation of the seller. The vast majority of sellers in any real estate market are, in my opinion, mostly testing the waters. ... |
Motivation, Tebow and Percy-cution - GatorCountry.com
Disease is motivation, not obstacle, for Center Grove senior - Indianapolis Star
HIGH SCHOOL HOOPS, REGION 4: Cougars use two-win season as motivation - Bowling Green Daily News
Irish Win Record 39th Straight at Home - New York Times
Irish Win Record 39th Straight at HomeNew York Times, United States -15 hours ago“We knew coming into this game that there was something to play for and that gave us a little extra motivation,” said McAlarney, who led the Irish with 32 ... |
AU should have plenty of motivation - Times-Journal
JON FRIEDMAN'S MEDIA WEB Murdoch, explained by Newser's Michael Wolff - MarketWatch
Colorado kicks itself after loss - Omaha World-Herald
Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to run - Sacramento Bee
Chiefs provide Raiders true motivation to runSacramento Bee, USA -Nov 30, 2008"It gives us a little extra motivation to play for because when you have hard times, it's tough to find that extra motivation. We're playing at home against ... |
Oscar De La Hoya on his motivation for fighting Manny Pacquiao - Doghouse Boxing
|
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Self-Esteem: You Matter
You'd be surprised. Maybe amazed. If you could see the far reaches of your influence you'd be stunned. The point is: You matter.
Overcoming the Fear of Getting Started
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy. -- Dale Carnegie
Universal Alignment
When the Universe is aligned, all things are possible.
Kismet, Karma, Synchronicity and Serendipity work together in unison to provide for us when we sometimes least expect it. Often it is there, but we are too blind to see. Blinded by stress, our jobs, our finances or our illnesses, we often miss what is right there in front of us.
Becoming Rich in Your Own Way
If you really want to become rich, then begin by evaluating your work habits and work environment. That's how most millionaires made their first million. According to Dr. Srully Blotnick, a psychologist and consultant who spent 20 years studying how people became rich, most millionaires didn't make their money in real estate, the stock market, or waiting for their ship to come in.
What Motivates the Motivator?
Someone wrote me an email a couple of weeks ago and said, "I would love to know what motivates YOU!" So I took them up on it and I want to spend some time telling you how I stay motivated.
How to Stay Motivated
You've read a book that motivates you to action;
you've read a motivational quote and got pumped up;
you've attended a seminar and listened to a motivational
speaker and feel you can conquer the world.
Motivation: Small Changes, Big Results
When I was 8 years old, my parents let me go to the toy store with my buddy Mike and his Mom.
Put Some Fire in Your Desire
One of the keys to success is staying motivated because it is being motivated that keeps us going out the door every day to change the world and reach our destiny! It is our desire for a better life, for change in ourselves and others, and for personal growth and fulfillment that moves our mountains! Desire!
Explanations?... or Excuses?
Which of the following "explanations" have you heard (or used!) in the past few weeks?
This Just Ain?t Good!
"Nope, this just ain't good!" How many times in our lives have we had those or similar words bouncing around inside our skulls? Yeah, I've lost count, too!
12 Powerful Motivational Tools That Guarantee Success
No matter how many years you spend in a classroom or from
what social class or lifestyle, motivation is the common
factor among those who are high achievers.
Realistic Dreams
The wish to have or be something, especially one that seems difficult to achieve is an innate desire in every one of us. The quest of all mankind, whether it is admitted or not, is for a life of significance.
Have You Said Thank You Today?
'When it comes to life the critical thing is whether you take things for granted or take them with gratitude.' --G. K. Chesterton (1874 - 1936) English essayist, novelist, journalist, poet
The Loneliness of Personal Growth
The cream rises to the top. That means that it separates itself from the milk. Perhaps that is what the New Age Movement is really all about. We tell ourselves that it's lonely at the top. Yes, it is. Maybe we have to figure out how to maintain ourselves as cream, but also stay whipped up within the milk? I'm picturing some sort of luscious desert all decadent and wonderful... like hot cocoa with the marshmallows stirred in rather than just floating on top. But then the marshmallow is no longer a unique wonderful treat, it's been broken down into the masses and lost it's integrity. It's a different lesson that comes into play after you've experienced a decent bit of enlightenment and growth.
Book Summary: If Life is a Game, These are the Rules
This #1 New York Times bestseller offers some useful
and understandable advice that can be applied to many
situations. The idea of life as a series of lessons can
help to put things into perspective and add to anyone's
ability to deal with setbacks and reach their full
potential.
Did You Have A Tough Childhood?
Many claim intense childhood trauma "damages" a person in their adult years.
Nothing To Lose
I stormed out of the office and headed for the patio area in front of my office building. It was October 2003, and everybody knew what happened. Ever since our division consolidated in February 2002, there had been more "closed door" conversations than ever, and when they involved me, I usually came out angry. This time I was madder than ever. I was sick of the office politics, sick of the cliques, sick of people sneaking around the rules ? and you can only take all of that being sick so long before you explode. After complaining to my supervisor for the umpteenth time about the state of affairs, we both cracked. I told her I was disappointed at the lack of morals and integrity, and she told me that I needed to just shut up and get professional help for depression if that's what it took to quit complaining. Here is the ironic part: I have a degree in psychology.
Motivation; 7 Musings on Motivation
1. Most of us are motivated by one of two things - inspiration or desperation. Most successful people choose inspiration as their motivation.
Motivation: How to Get Unstuck
Have you ever felt stuck?
Resolution Revolution: 3 Tips For Creating Real Change in the New Year
'Tis the season once again for parties, champagne, noisemakers...and of course, New Year's resolutions. Every year, millions of people go through the same ritual of making optimistic resolutions for the coming year - many of which are destined to be swept up into the dustbin with the remains of the confetti and party favors.
|
