Obstacles are meant to be overcome...
We all experience some type of self imposed comfort zone
at different times in our life. I am talking about those
things that for one reason or another we believe are out of
our reach. Comfort zones can be highly personal to the individual,
or they can be something that an entire group of people over a
long
period of time believes to be impossible.
Two examples of this that come to mind are as follows:
Believe it or not, there was once a time no one believed it was
possible to run a 4 minute mile. Then came along a fellow by the
name of Roger Bannister who not only achieved this feat, but
actually ended up inspiring a number of people after him to not
only accomplish it as well, but to beat the once seemingly
insurmountable time.
The second example that comes to mind is the idea that space
travel
and exploration would ever be a reality. Can you imagine how far
fetched the idea must have seemed, even to the first person who
dreamed it up? Yet, history tells us it was far from impossible and
is, dare I say almost commonplace now.
Certainly those are two extreme examples, but consider the mere
fact that you went from a newborn baby to walking, or learning to
read, and just about all the incredible things you've accomplished
over the course of your life thus far.
Inevitably you have had more than your share of comfort zones
to
work through. And in each case that is precisely what you did.
Friend, that's the thing about comfort zones -- they are meant to
be overcome. As we stretch, grow and work our way past those
things
that at one time caused us to doubt our ability to achieve,
something incredible occurs inside of us. With each new
accomplishment we expand our beliefs beyond what we thought
we were
once capable of. This in turn prepares us to better take on the
next big challenge which comes our way. We did it before, so we
are
far more willing to try the next time an opportunity presents
itself.
It is important to point out that comfort zones are not a bad thing in and of themselves. They exist to protect us in a number of
ways.
The danger comes in when we allow them to go beyond what
they're
intended for -- to keep us out of harms way, and instead actually
ending up keeping us from fully embracing and living the lives
filled with greatness which GOD created us for.
Using small tasks to shatter through barriers...
I am convinced that if we had the natural ability to look at big
ideas -- big goals -- the big things we long for -- and break them
down into smaller more manageable bite-sized tasks we wouldn't
have
to deal with our self-imposed comfort zones getting in the way
nearly as often as we do.
Unfortunately though, it is a natural tendency to build things up
in our mind. What can help greatly is to accept that with great
rewards often comes extra effort on our part. Notice that extra
effort doesn't mean it isn't something we are incapable of
assuming
we are willing to do what's required of us.
It's worth mentioning again that it's normal to experience doubt
and even fear when you're entering into the unknown. In spite of
that though, you still have to push through. Because when you do
you will find that just on the other side is an amazingly
incredible feeling of accomplishment.
Friend, every day you need to make a commitment to decide on a
minimum of one thing that you'll do which will move you closer
to
the completion of your particular goal and do it! Doing so is
incredibly beneficial, but perhaps most importantly you will have
shattered your self imposed comfort zone in the process. You will
have stretched it to the point that you no longer fear that thing
you did before. Now, going forward you will never have to look
back
and doubt yourself in that particular area again. Take a moment
to
really consider the sense of empowerment that feeling will give
you.
Ask just about any expert in any industry or career field and get
them to think back far enough and they're sure to tell you that
once upon a time they had areas of doubt that they had to work
at different times in our life. I am talking about those
things that for one reason or another we believe are out of
our reach. Comfort zones can be highly personal to the individual,
or they can be something that an entire group of people over a
long
period of time believes to be impossible.
Two examples of this that come to mind are as follows:
Believe it or not, there was once a time no one believed it was
possible to run a 4 minute mile. Then came along a fellow by the
name of Roger Bannister who not only achieved this feat, but
actually ended up inspiring a number of people after him to not
only accomplish it as well, but to beat the once seemingly
insurmountable time.
The second example that comes to mind is the idea that space
travel
and exploration would ever be a reality. Can you imagine how far
fetched the idea must have seemed, even to the first person who
dreamed it up? Yet, history tells us it was far from impossible and
is, dare I say almost commonplace now.
Certainly those are two extreme examples, but consider the mere
fact that you went from a newborn baby to walking, or learning to
read, and just about all the incredible things you've accomplished
over the course of your life thus far.
Inevitably you have had more than your share of comfort zones
to
work through. And in each case that is precisely what you did.
Friend, that's the thing about comfort zones -- they are meant to
be overcome. As we stretch, grow and work our way past those
things
that at one time caused us to doubt our ability to achieve,
something incredible occurs inside of us. With each new
accomplishment we expand our beliefs beyond what we thought
we were
once capable of. This in turn prepares us to better take on the
next big challenge which comes our way. We did it before, so we
are
far more willing to try the next time an opportunity presents
itself.
It is important to point out that comfort zones are not a bad thing in and of themselves. They exist to protect us in a number of
ways.
The danger comes in when we allow them to go beyond what
they're
intended for -- to keep us out of harms way, and instead actually
ending up keeping us from fully embracing and living the lives
filled with greatness which GOD created us for.
Using small tasks to shatter through barriers...
I am convinced that if we had the natural ability to look at big
ideas -- big goals -- the big things we long for -- and break them
down into smaller more manageable bite-sized tasks we wouldn't
have
to deal with our self-imposed comfort zones getting in the way
nearly as often as we do.
Unfortunately though, it is a natural tendency to build things up
in our mind. What can help greatly is to accept that with great
rewards often comes extra effort on our part. Notice that extra
effort doesn't mean it isn't something we are incapable of
assuming
we are willing to do what's required of us.
It's worth mentioning again that it's normal to experience doubt
and even fear when you're entering into the unknown. In spite of
that though, you still have to push through. Because when you do
you will find that just on the other side is an amazingly
incredible feeling of accomplishment.
Friend, every day you need to make a commitment to decide on a
minimum of one thing that you'll do which will move you closer
to
the completion of your particular goal and do it! Doing so is
incredibly beneficial, but perhaps most importantly you will have
shattered your self imposed comfort zone in the process. You will
have stretched it to the point that you no longer fear that thing
you did before. Now, going forward you will never have to look
back
and doubt yourself in that particular area again. Take a moment
to
really consider the sense of empowerment that feeling will give
you.
Ask just about any expert in any industry or career field and get
them to think back far enough and they're sure to tell you that
once upon a time they had areas of doubt that they had to work
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