As someone who isn't a fan of physical exercise, I've forced myself to become more active because I know it's good for me. I know that growth, strength and good health don't come from being still. If I don't make myself get to the gym, go for walks or work out at home, my emotional and physical health could suffer.
Familiarity and complacency might feel great (my couch is much more comfortable than the treadmill), but to remain in a good state of well-being (mentally and physically), I must push myself past what I find easier and toward what is good for me.
And the same is true in our careers: If you continue to do only what is comfortable, familiar and "safe," you miss the opportunity to improve your skills, abilities and talents, and evolve your career and connections in meaningful ways.
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Just like with exercise, when you start pushing yourself beyond your professional comfort zone, it can be painful and unsettling at first. For example, if you know that networking is important to growing your career but you're not a social, outgoing person, then attending networking events can feel painful. The process of approaching and conversing with strangers can seem less appealing than a root canal. But you do it (because it's good for you) and find it's not so terrible.
And then the second time you do it, with the muscle memory of that first experience under your belt, it feels less awkward and painful. Then the third time you approach a stranger for a conversation, it starts feeling even better. What was once uncomfortable and unpleasant becomes more familiar as you're growing and getting stronger.
Growth for you might look like:
- Assuming a leadership role on the team (when you've never led before)
- Volunteering to present the team's outcomes (when you fear public speaking)
- Getting advanced training or degrees to elevate your knowledge (when you're paid well for the work you're doing today)
- Challenging business practices (even while everyone else is playing along)
- Applying for a promotion (when you question whether you've earned the right)
Tips for Leaning into Growth
1. Try to detach the emotion.
As best you can, evaluate opportunities and situations for growth through an objective filter. There will always be excuses why you shouldn't do something, but what are the reasons doing this makes good sense? Consider both sides of the opportunity without getting emotional.
2. Listen to your gut -- but only to a point.
Your instinct might be to quit because it feels too awkward or scary. Your gut might be trying to convince you this isn't good for you (and you'd be better off at home, where it's comfortable). Resist the urge to accept fear as a rationale for not stretching yourself. Challenge the assumption that because it doesn't feel good means it's not good for you.
3. Adopt a growth mindset.
When you operate from a growth mindset, you see possibilities and options instead of focusing on problems and limitations. You're willing to ask the hard questions and then you listen without judgment, because you may learn something new. You remember that pushing past your comfort zone is often where positive change happens.
4. Become aware of your self-talk.
When presented with an opportunity, are you talking yourself out of pursuing it because of fear or intimidation? Are you worried that others will judge you as foolish for trying? Your self-talk could be stopping you from going after those opportunities that may be the catalyst for the change you've been craving. Reframe your self-talk to be more positive, inclusive and supportive of your strengths and the goals you wish to achieve. Celebrate even minor accomplishments as you work toward the bigger goal!
The comfortable and familiar will always be the easier paths. But are they the ones that will ultimately enable you to grow, learn and elevate to your fullest potential? Sometimes we need to get a bit uncomfortable to grow that set of muscles.
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