Step Out of Your Comfort Zone and Thrive

LetyM
Apr 3, 2017
4 min read

"When the time comes for you to make a change or to grow, the universe will make you so uncomfortable, you will eventually have no choice."

Iyanla Vanzant

Why is the word Change so SCARY????

Change is a good thing, but it is not always an easy thing to do. Change can be disturbing, for some, it creates a perception of an impending feeling of anxiety, uncertainty, confusion, stress. On the contrary, change can also be the origin of happiness, joy, clarity, and purpose.

Change has been a source of progress through the years, MLK is a perfect example, through his relentless ability to believe in opportunity and equality for the marginalized of his time, he was able to create and inspire movements and action, Cesar Chavez was also linked to an influence of change to create better working conditions for the migrant worker. Women like Angela Davis, Gloria Steinem, Emma Watson, America Ferrera, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, some of the organizers of the women's March in Washington and across the globe, and women who choose to speak up for women's equality have brought a tabu subject that makes some male species pucker up and feel uncomfortable, and in turn educated the majority on the importance of men stepping up into their voice, power and purpose, while encouraging the success of women, their contributions to society, and debunking the notion that feminist is a women's only agenda. Thank you men. Much love and KUDOS to you.

So why do we resist change even though change may benefit our growth, health, personal development, opportunity, enhance our experience and surprise, create progress and essentially bring rewarding benefits and happiness?

Well, I'll have to theorize that there can potentially be two reasons, we are creatures of habit and misery loves company. Cliche, yes but oh so true, let me explain.

Our beliefs and habits create our lifestyles, when we embrace habits of unhealthy patterns of behavior, work ethic, reactions to situations, our outcomes will look quite different than those who are flexible in their approach, willing to learn healthy coping mechanisms, are open to change, lifestyle choices and positive affirmations.

I can tell you that my days have become much more peaceful when I learned to develop an open mindset willing to learn, develop and make the best out of any situation.

Some people simply have problems with every solution and misery loves company. If you don't enjoy the way it feels, then your job is to learn a pattern of behavior that will develop you. Our job is always to be in charge of our personal energy and response, our innate thoughts, patterns, and habits matter most, they empower us.

Who is to blame for our inability to create healthier patterns or feel more joy, love, fulfillment and happiness? I invite you to look in the mirror, now look closer, now look into your eyes and you will see, it is our responsibility and nobody else's.

It is our responsibility to say I care for you, to walk into the gym or go for a walk, to make time for a loved one, to show kindness to another, to choose not to become upset, to adjust to any change that comes into our life and realize it will all be okay if we so choose to see it that way.

The best news, you don't have to fire your friends or family members, well maybe temporarily. You only have to dismiss their limiting beliefs and understand they will speak from a learned pattern of understanding and it is not up to you to correct, but through your actions and choices decide what is important to you and create a lifestyle you love, enjoy and deserve, on your terms.

As you develop habits of success and work on them every day, learn to be patient with yourself. One of my favorite approaches and affirmations to anything new in business and life is to remind myself that I am always a student, willing to learn and receive the best experience and create the best possible outcome for any situation and interaction.

Change is not necessarily about changing who you are, where you come from, what you believe in the core of your existence, change is a form of pattern creation and development and the ability to have an open mind to learn and the courage to apply it to your everyday life.

I encourage you to take the leap this week, to shed a pattern or habit that hinders your higher purpose, to be willing to learn and grow, to accept abundance into anything you decide to do. Life is transformed one pattern and choice at a time, always keeping in mind, it's a marathon, not a sprint, takes practice, not perfection, and the outcome is always up to you.

All you have to do is be courageous, create success on your terms and Thrive.