Beyond the Comfort Zone

Have you ever wanted to try something new, but you’re stuck at start? Starting something new can be scary, it’s totally unknown and unpredictable. We typically have the desire to try new things because there is a perceived benefit from the new activity or experience. Unfortunately, too often that new activity or experience forces us into an unfamiliar place, a place beyond our familiar, outside of our comfort zone.

Getting out of your comfort zone can be scary. It requires that we expose ourselves to the possibility of failure, rejection, or being put in an awkward situation. Think about the last time that you had the desire to try something new, but you didn’t. Maybe you wanted to try a new fitness class or pick up a new hobby. Maybe you wanted to attend a unique event or check out that new restaurant in the city.

What stopped you? Answers can vary - you don’t have the time, couldn’t find anyone to join you, maybe you didn’t try this new thing because you knew there would be a moderate level of discomfort. If your reasoning is closer to the latter, you were probably correct. I was recently asked to serve as the M.C. of the High School Graduation Banquet at my church. It was a last minute request as the youth pastor had to cancel due to unexpected circumstances.

I thought for a couple of days on the matter. I allowed my thoughts to get away from me while I imagined every possible thing that could go wrong. What if I mispronounce a name? I hope I don’t fall. I talk waaayyy too fast to be an M.C.. The list goes on. At some point, I brought all of these thoughts to a halt and reminded myself, “I’m not the most outgoing or confident person, but I sure know how to fake it - screw it, let’s do it.”

So I went for it. I sent a text message to my mentor and let her know that I would be available to assist with the banquet. I had it all mapped out. I was going to write my notes, plan my jokes, the whole nine! Well, you know how weeks go, you agree to last minute plans, stay late at the office, or just come home beat from the work day. Your personal to-do list easily gets pushed to the back-burner.

The morning of the banquet arrived and I was unprepared. Initiate: PANIC MODE. I had not prepared talking points, I was bogged down by work and I had no clue what I was going to wear! Long story short, I made it through the event, people laughed and I even received compliments on my public speaking skills at the end of the night.

Photographed by @tha_realjordan

All in all, it was a success, not only did I experience something new - I learned a few things, too.

Lessons Learned

I discovered a new talent

I always felt like I was a relatively good public speaker, but that had never been tested. When I was faced with the challenge of being an M.C., I was nervous mainly because I would be entering territory that was far from familiar to me. I was unsure of how the night would end. Thankfully, it turned out alright and I even discovered a new interest. I might even go so far as to say that I discovered a new talent.

I gained confidence

As I mentioned, I always felt like I had a bit of a knack for public speaking, but it had never been solidified. I never performed well in public speaking classes, so I figured my skills were subpar. Had I not agreed to serving as the M.C. for this event, I would have continued on with this thinking. Because I took a chance on myself, and my abilities, I experienced a boost in confidence regarding my public speaking skills. I’m even looking into join Toastmasters in an effort to hone my skills - I would have never considered this prior to this experience.

I experienced joy

Seriously! I was thrilled to be a part of this night. I had not even taken into account the magnitude of this moment for these students. They were about to embark on a journey from childhood to semi-adulthood. They had the highest expectations for their next step. They were excited to leave their High School years behind them and step into something new. Something fresh and exciting. Something scary. Something that, at times, will likely prove to be extremely uncomfortable.

The students had this energy about them that exuded confidence in that next step. It was as if they were staring down the unknown, scary, discomfort and saying: Bring. It. On. I was humbled to be a part of that energy and thankful for the chance to learn a lesson in confidence from these students.

The Takeaway

All in all, I learned that when you step outside of your comfort zone, you allow yourself the opportunity to experience something new. Out of that new experience comes new lessons and new energy.

Maybe there is something you’ve been wanting to try, but you’re hesitant. You’re fearful of the unknown and intimidated by the idea of discomfort. There will be moments in our lives that force discomfort. That is an undeniable truth. Another undeniable truth is that when you take the step to embrace discomfort and try something new, you experience inevitable growth. So take a lesson from a group of graduating High School students and look that new, somewhat intimidating experience in the eyes and say: Bring. It. On.