GETTING UNCOMFORTABLE

Every day we have to do things that make us uncomfortable…it’s called living. I try to live by the notion that without discomfort, there is no growth. Today, I took the opportunity to get uncomfortable and I spoke on stage…a virtual stage.

I’m one of those weird people that actually enjoys being on a real stage, speaking to and with others, but being on video is a whole other ball game. However, I couldn’t pass up the chance to speak at this event and since it was all virtual, I had to reach out of my comfort zone to make it happen!

Every coach, mentor, and teacher in the world says we should “get out of our comfort zone” in order to grow. I’d like to challenge that idea and instead think that we should expand our comfort zones in order to grow.

If you think about it, stepping out of your comfort zone implies you are leaving it behind. However, you need some level of comfort in order to feel confident moving forward and trying something new. By expanding your comfort zone, you keep that which is familiar and foundational while you try that new thing, instead of trading that foundation for the new thing.

So that is what I did today. But how did I get there?

A few weeks ago, I put it out into the world that I wanted to get some speaking engagements this year. The right person crossed my path and heard me speak that into existence. She sent me the link to apply to speak at the #SOWVictoryFest2022 and gently challenged me to do it. Because I am also a coach and mentor, I knew this was a chance to not only expand my comfort zone, but also set the example to anyone else out there that wants to grow theirs but is a little bit nervous to do so.

By the time I found out I was an accepted speaker, I had just a short amount of time to get my speech prepared. I knew I could put together some great material quickly so that wasn’t anything to worry about. My biggest worry was that this would be a virtual conference. I am self-conscious on video, just like so many other people out there, but I didn’t want to let that stop me from achieving this goal.

Over a few days, I prepared my speech, and then I did what I am always telling all of you to do – I practiced it! I practiced it in the exact location I would be when presenting (this is one perk of virtual conferences that you don’t necessarily get with in-person events), I sat up my desk and computer the same way it would be set up for the event, turned on the lights that I would have set up for the event, and even wore the same shoes (ha, fun fact, didn’t wear shoes because I presented from home…another perk of a virtual event!!)! Then, I gave my speech to my cat and my bamboo plant as if they were the most amazing virtual audience ever.

As I practiced, I made mental notes of needed corrections and rewrites. After making those changes, I practiced it again. Rinse, lather, repeat until I was happy with the product.

Since I had practiced my speech a few times already, when it came time to be in front of the audience this morning, it was much easier to deliver! I wasn’t nervous, I knew what to say because I had already heard myself say it a few times before! This is why practicing what you need to say before you say it, is SO important! Once you say the words out loud and your brain knows that you CAN say them, they become familiar, making it much easier to deliver them when needed!

This event was an amazing experience, and I am so glad I took the opportunity to expand my comfort zone today. The next time I have the chance to speak at a virtual conference, it won’t feel so uncomfortable! I hope I get the chance to speak at SOW Victory Fest again next year…maybe I’ll see some of you there!

Do you want to share your stories and knowledge with groups of people? I’d love to help you prepare and practice your words so you can knock them out of the park! Click HERE and book your FREE discovery call so we can get YOU ready for the big stage!

Thanks for stopping by!

Ciao for now!