I'm continually learning something new and whilst I love it
(particularly if it involves reading and research) actually
getting down to the 'doing' bit has produced some interesting
and uncomfortable feelings on the odd occasion.
It's the feeling of physical discomfort, not to mention a little
frustration, tears, ranting and/or raving.
The physical pain I experienced during the writing of my first
newsletter, or when I first designed and wrote copy for my
website, and anything else that was and is a 'first time event'
for me, is very real and very uncomfortable.
The upside of this is once the new is mastered, the physical
pain miraculously disappeared.
For me it's a comfort zone thing.
I really know I'm alive when I'm outside my comfort zone.
The comfort zone is an amazing place of security, comfort,
safety, and protection. Stepping out this zone can be scary and
lonely, and involves stretching and growing; this is the bit
where physical pain comes into it.
When I was little I remember my mother telling me I was
suffering from growing pains because my legs ached, or my knees
ached, as a matter of fact anything that ached was due to
growing pains. Expanding the comfort zone for me is much the
same.
The best thing of course is the end result! This will be when
mastery has finally been reached and with it increased inner
strength and confidence.
This doesn't just apply to the 'big stuff'. This applies across
the board no matter how big or small.
Below I've listed 5 easy things to help with becoming
comfortable with the uncomfortable. Starting with the most
important:
1. Start by noticing what you notice. Each time you do something
different notice what your reaction to it is and where this
reaction manifests within your body.
2. Keep a journal or diary of feelings and reactions as you
continue to grow through stepping out of your comfort zone.
Write three pages in your journal or diary each morning about
your ever expanding comfort zone. Write for at least one month
then reflect on your pages, starting from page one, noticing any
patterns, useful or not.
Use a different coloured pen for things that worked for you in
becoming more masterful.
Again using a different coloured pen make note of what
definitely did not work.
3. Ask yourself the following questions in regards to growing
and stretching:
"What needs to happen now to make it less painful for me?"
"What are the benefits for me in mastering this new thing
(relationship, job, task etc)?"
"What am I learning from this experience?"
"What am I not learning from this experience?"
4. Turn negative self-talk into positive speak. The more often
positive self talk is practised the more comfortable it will
become, until it's fully integrated and natural.
5. Know that it takes time to become comfortable with something
new and different. Unfortunately there is no instant fix or
'cure' (I would've found it by now!). The quicker the mastery
levels raise the quicker the return of a comfort zone.
Some suggestions to help deal with the uncomfortable may be to
take up a meditation program, Breath Work, some transformational
coaching for inner peace, or investigate a flower essence
practitioner near you.
The outcome of this effort will be living how you want to live,
and knowing that you've achieved this through your own efforts.
A great friend of mine once said to me "Become comfortable with
the uncomfortable". During my uncomfortable moments, I remember
that phrase. I know that once mastered, I'll become comfortable
once again...well until the next time I decide to learn
something new.
Michaela Scherr
Transformational Coach
About the author:
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http://www.michaelascherr.com
Michaela is a Transformational Coach, certified practitioner of
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), writer and intuitive who is
totally committed to helping others create positive and action
oriented changes to their lives. Michaela is the author of
several e-books and publisher of a monthly ne
