
I'm always eager to read the 60-second newsletter Working Solo Minute by Terri Lornier when I see it sitting in my in box. A recent issue talked about how easy it is to get comfortable in our comfort zones.
Here's three factors that Terri noted keep soloists and women business owners snuggled up tight:
1.
Fear of Failure:
It's so much easier not to risk making a fool of oneself, and to push away any feelings of doubt and anxiety. Ironically, it's not stretching one's boundaries that can lead to failure. Scan your own behavior patterns and see where you're avoiding risk. Take a conscious step toward trying something new—whether it's a small action or a major undertaking.
2.
Overwhelmed with Opportunities:
Faced with a surfeit of possibilities, many soloists choose to do nothing. Sometimes that can be a prudent path, but more often, it leads to stagnation. As theologian Harvey Cox observed: "Not to decide is to decide." Avoid the paralysis that comes from the self-imposed pressure of making a "perfect" choice. Assess the options. Choose. Act.
3.
Procrastination:
The thing about being in your comfort zone is that it is so, well, comfortable. "I can always do that tomorrow," we tell ourselves. Only that "tomorrow" can extend to weeks, months, and sometimes years. If there are items on your To-Do, Want-To, or Goals list, I encourage you to stare them down. Either chart a specific deadline, or scratch them from the list. For those that remain, determine the next action step -- and do that. The larger goal may be intimidating, but often the smaller pieces stretch us in more subtle ways. Multiple incremental accomplishments can aggregate into a major achievement -- with little mental resistance or discomfort.
I'd like to add the following to her list:
4. Gotten used to Complaining:
Sometimes it is easier to complain or bad-mouth "WHY" you don't have something than it is to risk stepping further out on the diving board of change.
5. Fear of the Unknown:
Fear of the unknown keeps us in our comfort zones, even when we're miserable where we presently are. I remember my grandfather saying that "the devil you know is better than the devil you don't".
6. Lack of support or an accountability buddy:
Most of us need support and encouragement to move outside of our comfort zones. Find a coach to work with to support you and for you to be accountable to or a good friend.
What can you add to this list? I know there's more:). I look forward to hearing from you.
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