Escaping the Comfort Zone

I sit contemplating why I've not written for the past hour, as I'd planned to do. I laugh to myself as I finally see the irony. This is uncomfortable for me. Not the writing. I adore writing. But the idea of being disciplined and actually taking this book to its completion.

I've had this book planned for over a year, but my lack of focus had kept me from actualizing this dream until a few weeks ago. It's more comfortable for me to be unfocused and a little lazy. I've been this way, to some extent, all my life. These are some old and deeply ingrained habits.

But it's time for me to leave the perceived safety of what's comfortable and familiar and get this done. If I don't, I'll likely find a way to survive, maybe even thrive, but I won't be achieving my highest purpose. I'm a writer. So today, I'm writing.

I tell myself that this is where I need be. I believe it. And yet, I still feel anxious and unsettled. Fancy words for fear. Truth is I'm a little afraid to explore new territories; I'm a little afraid to shine, to live my dreams, to take the consistent and sustained action that will lead to my dreams' fulfillment.

It does get easier though. In focusing on the action and the task at hand, for me, writing this book, I'm creating new habits, new pathways, new realities of thought. As we learn and accept this more and more, our inner thoughts really do create our outer realities.

When I do the things I most fear, the fear rapidly loses its fight. Action is one of the highest expressions of love, and love is always stronger than fear.

Life is so much more enriching when we live on the edges. Stretching to new levels of attainment through the risk of escaping the bondage of fear brings new heights of excitement to the journey.

It's been very helpful for me to have supportive friends as I forge new pathways, both the life sort and the neural. As I choose to be accountable and to allow others to support me emotionally and cheer me on, the shared energy lends a much needed boost. It's a combination of choice, intent, and sheer unfettered action that allows us to reach escape velocity and reach new heights.

It also helps, when I'm feeling stuck, to ask myself a simple question. “What's the worst that might happen if I take this risk and leap from my comfort zone?” And a follow up question... “What's the worst that will happen if I don't?” Usually, it becomes pretty clear that the risk that feels huge, in reality, isn't. And the larger risk of staying stuck in the rut of sameness is much more risky, in the long term, leading to a life of mediocrity.

Mediocrity is boring. Mediocrity sucks. I'd much rather, at least today, leap...

• Do you remember when you've done something really crazy?

• Do you remember how alive that made you feel?

• Have you had enough mediocrity in your life?

• Are you ready to soar?

• What's really the worst that can happen by leaving your comfort zone today?

• What's the best that could

happen?