Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone

Stepping out of your comfort zone is, well, uncomfortable. But that is where the growth happens.

Can discomfort be your friend? The answer came to me after a recent group training ride

What struck me even during the ride was, first, how hard it was and how uncomfortable I got both mentally and physically.  I found myself initially consumed with resentful thoughts about the group I was riding with and how they were riding with no consideration in particular for the women, such that all 4 of us got dropped long before the end of the ride. That same ride however resulted in my achieving multiple personal best times for different segments of the route and, with all the talented fast women in Miami, I notched up some of the highest all-time average speeds for women. Not something I would have expected to happen at my age.

That took me back to thinking about that ride and how I was pushed well out of my comfort zone and consequently achieved a performance I wouldn’t have dreamed possible.  I realized that I could choose not to ride with that group in the future and avoid the physical challenge and discomfort as well as any frustration and embarrassment caused by not being able to keep up. I could ride with others or on my own, and be perfectly happy. Or I could see this as an opportunity, keep showing up, probably get dropped again, continue to push myself out of my comfort zone and, as a result, get stronger, faster and reach new heights. Rather than resent the guys, I could choose to see them as uniquely qualified to push me to where I wouldn’t go on my own.

This led me to a broader reflection on my career and the parallels I saw there.  I did not choose the easy path nor the one most followed, but instead repeatedly chose steps that took me well out of my existing expertise and comfort zone.  New countries, new languages, different cultures, bigger jobs, male-dominated roles.  I had great support along the way in the form of mentors, advisors and company systems, but I had to decide to put myself out there. It was at times incredibly challenging, but it gave me unique opportunities to learn, grow, and become a stronger leader. 

With a simple bike ride came the clarity that it is only when we are really pushed to stretch and grow in all aspects of our lives, can we achieve the goals we hadn’t even imagined.