I received compensation for this sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of State Farm®. The opinions and text are all mine.
For the first 5 years of my life I was an only child. Although I grew up with cousins, I was usually the quiet one. I wasn’t anti-social by any means, but I was always quiet and reserved. You would most likely have found me in a quiet corner reading, coloring and doing puzzles. Being in the background, out of the spotlight, in my own little world, was definitely my comfort zone. I was safe there and I had no plans of leaving.
As I got older, I participated in activities at school but I always wanted to stay in the background, you know, the place where I was comfortable. One of my biggest fears was public speaking. I could talk your ear off in a private conversation, but ask me to speak in front of a group of people and I would decline. While in Grad school, I did have to do my share of presentations but once those were over, I went back into my zone.
Fast forward to July 2012 when I met my friend Julian. She had just started a meetup group and invited me to co-host one of her first meetups here in Dallas. I tried to wiggle my way out of it, but she just wouldn’t let me. I was way out of my comfort zone and I was so nervous, but I pushed through.
After that first event, I become her regular co-host at monthly meetups, and I got better and more comfortable. I got to know the ladies who attended the events and it was like a mini reunion when we all got together.
READ ALSO: Staying Motivated When You Feel Like Quitting
Then I was forced to get uncomfortable again. At the last moment, Julian couldn’t make it to one of our events and I had to host, all by myself. I had gotten so comfortable having a co-host that I was slightly nervous. Again, I rose to the occasion, pushed past my fears and did what I had to do.
READ ALSO: Dear Me: A Letter to my Younger Self
Pushing past my fears and getting out of my comfort zone was one the best things I have ever done. It has literally changed the course of my life and allowed me to be ready to take advantage of so many opportunities to grow as a person, and to grow and business. Now, I’ll be honest, depending on the setting, I still get a few butterflies in my stomach but I never allow that to stop me.
READ ALSO: My Fear of Failing & Choosing Faith Over Faith – My Story
You know that saying “Great things never come from comfort zones”? It is so true!
YOUR TURN: What fears do you have that you need to work on?
Disclosure:
As a member of The bLink Marketing Network, I received compensation for this sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of State Farm.
The opinions and text are all mine.
