Want immediate change in 2013? Get UNCOMFORTABLE!

How often are you uncomfortable during your day?

Why wouldn’t you go for it?

I know why you don’t want to get uncomfortable!

• 

  You don’t want to look stupid.

• You are afraid you won’t finish what you started.
• You are afraid of failing.
• You don’t want to believe you have to get that uncomfortable to get what you want, surely there is another way!

Yes, you look cool.  Yes, you seem masterful.  But there’s something else going on.  You are NOT making progress and from where I’m standing, it looks safe…and boring!

Making real change in 2013 means you are getting UNCOMFORTABLE!

Real growth happens in the steps beyond comfort.  I’ve been uncomfortable lately, when

in my fitness routine.  I’m a runner; I enjoyed my first mile when I was ten.  Since then,it’s been an on again, off again love affair through college, first kids, last kids, travel, weight changes- you name it.  In the end, I love to run.

My sweet spot is about 30 minutes.  Even after an extended time away from exercise, I can count on slipping on my running shoes and hitting the road or the treadmill for 30 and finishing with relative ease.  For the last few months my goal has been to complete four miles in 30 minutes.  I try and try and yet, I seem to fall short, only getting as close as 3.8.  It may seem like a foregone conclusion to you, but that’s an entire lap around the track before I reach my goal!

I’ve been working with a trainer and as any good trainer would, she challenged me to move beyond  my comfort zone.  Run longer and slower.  I resisted.  I liked the feeling of running fast and getting it over with.  I was afraid.  I kept at my goal, getting closer but falling short over and over.  This week, I’ve placed myself in my trainers hands and I’m going for it.  I have run over 50 minutes three times this week.  It’s uncomfortable.  I get bored.  I worry I will run out of strength.

Today, as I sweated it out, feet pounding out the challenge, I realized this:  Real strength doesn’t come from hiding in what you know.  Every step I take AFTER my safe 30 minutes of running is closer to the strength and I desire.  The real progress happens in the minutes between 31 and 55, when I don’t know what is going to happen next.  When my success is not a sure thing.

I might not finish every run.  My knees may get sore or worse yet, I may not show up.  But   if I DON’T TRY AT ALL, I will never know what might happen.  I shut away the possibilities beyond my comfort zone.

Where do you need to get uncomfortable?  It could be:

• Eating something you have never tasted before.
• Exercising your body to reach beyond what you have experienced.
• Reading material that stretches your mind.
• Being the first to go deeper with friends.
• Trying new way to connect romantically.
• Asking for what you need for success.
• Putting your product out there to new audiences and clients.

Whatever it is, this is January.  Get uncomfortable!  Don’t play it safe.  Don’t strive for perfection.  Strive for progress.  You may be afraid, but you have company.  I’ll take the steps with you!