So this is probably not what you think…but I’ve been thinking a lot about a little word that begins with the letter C recently.
Maybe you can guess what it is?
In-fact when I think about it, there are quite a few important words that begin with the letter C when it comes to personal growth (and when I say personal growth I mean the intelligent kind, not the flakey kind).
So here’s what I’m not talking about – control. Yes another C word- and a good one too but I already wrote about that one (you can read it here).
Today I’m talking about a cheeky little seven letter word that goes by the name of:
Comfort.
That’s right.
We all know and love this one right?
Good old comfort.
Let’s think about how comfort makes us feel….safe, warm, relaxed….all of the good stuff.
I hate to break it to you but…it comes with a price.
You see, I’ve been looking at the relationship between comfort and other things like certainty and success and it appears that they are all related.
Think about it.
How much certainty do you have when you’re in your comfort zone?
A lot right?
This is what makes our comfort zone so snuggly and warm.
It’s the certainty.
We know what each day will bring with it and we feel in control (there’s that other C-word again).
What about the comfort zone?
Flip it around though and think about how much certainty you have when you’re teetering at the edge of your comfort zone?
Isn’t this what causes the dis-comfort?
It’s the very thought that we don’t know what might happen next that causes our wheels to fall off.
We no longer feel safe.
We’re freefalling!
We’re not in control.
And it’s scary.
And this reminds me of something I learned when I studied NLP (that’s Neuro Linguistic Programming).
I’ll never forget it.
It’s this:
“The quality of your life is directly related to your ability to withstand uncertainty.”
You can tweet this if you want. I think it’s definitely tweet-worthy.
So there you have it.
My musings explained.
And the point is…
If we’re to achieve great things with our lives, then we have no choice but to make friends with uncertainty.
Because this is where the REAL LIVING happens.
Not the kind of pretend living where we stay nestled in our comfort zones – the REAL ‘I’M ALIVE’ kind of living, where we fly by the seat of our pants.
Tell me – how much uncertainty do you let into your life?
Do you invite it in, open arms?
Or do you cling to what you know, safe in the knowledge that you know what’s coming next?
Because I believe there are two types of people on planet earth – there’s the ones who are happy living an ordinary life…content with the control that comes along with it.
And there’s the ones who can’t settle for that.
They just want something more! It makes me think of this quote by Jack Kerouac:
“the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars.”
Simple Life Strategy: it’s time to embrace uncertainty
1. Take an honest look at your life. Are you in control most of the time?
2. If so, it’s time to mix things up a bit. I want you to find something new to try that involves you embracing a little uncertainty.
3. This could be trying a new hobby, taking a new route to work, meeting new people, learning something new or even just going with the flow a little more when uncertainty pops its head up.
4. Get used to being OK with uncertainty – because it’s here to stay.
5. Start to even expect uncertainty. Accept that this is a part of life and the sooner you can make friends with it, the more extraordinary your life will become.
Here’s to extraordinary living! And Jack Kerouac. (who was obviously both amazing & extraordinary).
Tell me – what do you think about this idea of comfort and uncertainty? How has it played out in your life? Leave a comment below.
Love
Zoë B
PS ~ Sick of working just to pay the bills? Get my most popular, FREE online training here: My 3 Step process To Find A More Meaningful Career.
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