Get and stay out of your comfort zone
While thinking of what to write next in this blog, I looked over the previous post and thought what better than to rap about Rule #1 since that’s been ans probably always will be my hardest struggle.
Rule #1 I’ve seen or read many times and while it may be nothing new to you, it is one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever come across.
When I first started my computer training business in ‘04 I knew that I would have to become more vocal and be “out there” as the business would not sell itself. I knew better than to believe “If you build it, they will come”.
If I were to become Mr. Businessman I would have to…network. The idea of talking to established business people was scary enough. And throw in that it wasn’t just talking, it was holding conversations. Saying I was insecure about the whole situation was an understatement. I wanted to stay in my secure, cozy, warm like a mother’s sweet embrace comfort zone.
Fortunately I realized that secure, cozy, warm like a mother’s sweet embrace comfort zone was not going to allow me to become Mr. Businessman. Decision time.
I took a big leap in winter of ‘04 and joined the Chamber of Commerce. I was nervous before I even walked into that first members meeting. But I was suited and booted, looking sharp and had my biz cards ready. I walk in to notice I was one of if not the youngest there and, sad to see, the only black male. Great. I was able to calm my nerves. In an unplanned way, going to a majority white college did prepare me for the regularly occuring “where the people of color at?” question that many of us ask at events. You just have to tell yourself you belong here as much as anyone else in that room. The meeting went OK. I was able to introduce myself without stammering, exchanged a few cards and was able to hold my own in conversations.
That big leap out of my comfort zone has become a springboard to many other wonderful happenings in my life. And if you are still in your zone take a step out and you will see all the good things you’ve been missing.
