Stepping out of the Comfort Zone

The sea is flat clam today in Grand Bahama but my stomach is churning.  I’m getting ready to step out of my comfort zone and the feeling is terrible.  I’ve been practicing yoga for 20 years and decided I’d like to lead a class.  I’m on my way to lead a class to my mentor and I am so nervous.  So why am I doing it? I can see the other side and the eventual joy I will get from sharing my love of yoga with others.  I know the price to pay for growth comes from getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

The uncomfortable nervous feeling is coming from my thoughts.  I’m not prepared well enough, I’ll probably pronounce the words wrong, the class will be too easy, the class will be too hard, this is going to be embarrassing, I’m not going to find the words to explain the poses.  I’m going to fail.

That fear of failure is so strong, it’s almost enough to keep me from going.

Looking out at the calm sea, I’m reminded that nothing has gone wrong here.  This is all normal. 

The primitive part of the brain has good intentions.  It thinks it is helping to keep us safe by staying with what is known.  Not stepping out of the cave because we could get killed.  It gives us all these thoughts to keep us from moving forward or trying new things. It’s good to know that this is what is happening.  But now what?

Allow the feeling of nervousness by getting to be friends with it.  Observe it.  Talk to it.  Notice where it is showing up in the body.  Just allow the feeling to be there.  It may subside or it may not. It’s all okay.  It’s just a feeling and it’s not going to kill us. Sitting with our feelings helps.  If we allow our feelings to be processed (for as long as we choose – a minute, hours, days, a month…) then it opens up an opportunity for new thoughts.  Reminding the brain that we’re safe.  Messing up isn’t the end of the world.  It’s learning.

The way to growth is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.  Stepping out of the comfort zone.  Being willing to experience it all.  Just think what is possible if you allow the feeling and do it anyway.  Your life will be so much richer and fuller.