Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone

Sitting here, debating on how to start a blog post for the first time...

The human mind amazes me sometimes. At least my mind amazes me... Here I sit, looking at the computer screen, thoughts rushing through my head...

"Why are you writing a blog?" "Do you think this is worth it?" What if you suck at this?" "What if you don't suck?" "Will this be worth your time?"

The simple answer is... I don't know what I'm doing, but that is ok! As humans, we get caught up in our routines, our patterns of everyday life. Our habits become our "Safe Zone". Somewhere we can retreat to, knowing everything will be alright, if we can get back to our routine. Being the amazing and wonderful creatures we are, our double-edged sword, are our habits. Habitual creatures do not care whether the habit is good or bad, as long as we continue the habit. This can be our saving grace and our demise.

Continuing bad habits is something we all get stuck into. It's easy, it's our home, our safe place. But I urge to break these bad habits. Maybe not all of them at once, mind you. Instead pick one. Focus on it, and spend time changing it to something better. For those un-aware, I have started teaching here in the studio. It has been a giant undertaking, and a realization of how much I still don't know. This pushes my comfort zone out of a 10 story building. Falling, spinning, wondering when the ground will finally meet me, face to face. Only to realize, the ground hasn't reared its ugly head. Instead, a soft pillow of excitement and wonder in the faces and comments from those willing to partake in my incessant ramblings.

Some say the best way to learn, is to teach. In these past 2 weeks this is coming true as I continue to build lesson plans and plan my short lectures. All in all, I am slowly becoming accustomed to delivering my knowledge to others, passing on what I have found to be "useful information". Some may agree with what I have to say, while others have a differing of opinions on the matter. Either way, I can only strive to do the best I can, with the knowledge I have acquired over the years.

So I implore all of you, to do the best you can. In whatever you are doing, whether you feel confident or not. To paraphrase a quote from a favorite book of mine, "Practice makes perfect? No, there is no such thing as perfect. Instead practice makes a master." So, I tell you to practice. Even the things that scare you, the habits you wish to change. Break them, practice being better. In your life, job, health, and hobbies. Step outside the comfort zone you have accustomed yourself with, and take a step into the unknown.

You might just find it isn't as scary as you thought. And, you may also find the risk is worth the reward.