Stepping Outside myComfortZone

Sometimes you have to step outside of your comfort zone to get to the next level with anything in life.  Comfort = the same.  Comfort = no growth. Comfort = standing still. As we approach the new year, start to set your sights on something NEW and start to develop a plan to achieve it.

Let’s talk about crazy… Imagine me, a 45-year old, deciding to do a fitness competition and debut a seasoned body in front of a crowd of about 600 people after a 20+ year hiatus from wearing a bikini.  And, this is not just a “bikini”… it is small by nature to highlight your “assets” and also requires 5” acrylic heels as the mode of transportation to stage.  How is that for guts? Since this was pretty radical by my own measure, my goal was never to win but to LOOK like I belonged on stage.

When I think back on it, it was pretty darn crazy AND scary!  I had never been on stage before.  I hadn’t worn a bikini in 20+ years. I had no experience to draw from.  When I say I was “green”, I was GREEN; however, I dug deep and decided to take on the challenge and I am so happy I did. 

In the end, it was a life lesson that I could do anything I set my mind to.  It was a lesson in self-control and commitment.  It was a lesson in self-awareness.  It was working to overcome fears.  It was accepting flaws. I wanted to LOOK like a competitor and I did. I ranked in the Top 10.  My trophy was my new body and the satisfaction that I had met my goal of looking the part. 

Guess what?  [Gasp] I’m scared to death, but I’m going to do it all over again in 2014.  My goal is always to be the best ME I can be and I’m certain I will learn more lessons along the way, but I’m striving for some hardware [trophy] this time around!

Growth is outside your comfort zone. 

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