Let’s be honest. Deep inside, you’ve always known you're capable of great things. Even when times are hard, there’s a little voice inside you that won’t let you give up.
That’s why we keep learning and reading and searching and trying to find that key that will unlock the door to our full potential.
But after years and years of outside influences, telling us we “can’t” or “shouldn’t,” the voice of fear and doubt often speaks louder than the wise little voice, and we find ourselves staying where we are, where it feels easier, more comfortable.
But that wise little voice keeps whispering, and eventually we come to a point where the “comfort” zone isn’t so comfortable after all.
Because our souls crave more.
Our hearts know we have so much to offer, and not sharing our gifts with the world is not comfortable.
I remember in my early 20’s, I shared an exciting idea I had with a “friend,” who responded with something along the lines of, “Why bother? You’ll quit like you always do.”
While his words stung, there was some truth to them. He was expressing the pattern I had created in my life – Big goal, work hard, quit. Over and over.
Why? Because when I first set out after a goal, I was trusting the little voice, the voice that KNEW I was capable. But I would inevitably run into speed bumps, nay-sayers, min-failures and rejections along the way, and the outside voices would grow louder and louder until all I heard was “See, you can’t do it.”
So I stayed where it felt safe. Where it felt comfortable. Where I knew I wouldn't fail.
And I ended up feeling completely empty.
Life’s funny like that. We can continue on, downplaying our needs and our passions, but at what cost?
Eventually it catches up to us and we realize we are merely existing, instead of truly LIVING.
So what’s different now? Well, for one, I cut the cord with that college “friend,” and all the other nay-sayers in my life that aren’t blood relatives. And I traded them in for YAY-sayers. People who have dreams themselves, even if they’re just figuring out what those dreams are.
See, people who have their own dreams aren’t threatened by ours, so they don’t feel the need to cut us down. Inspired by the fire in their own hearts, they naturally want others to feel the same fire. In company like this, the support is two-sided and effortless. When we surround ourselves with people who are positive and supportive, we all uplift each other.
Unfortunately the opposite is also true. Nothing can take the wind out of our sails faster than someone reminding us of all the times we quit before.
But NOW is not “before.”
Realizing that everything I’ve been through or done in the past has put me exactly where I am, I can look back AND forward, knowing with complete confidence that setbacks are simply steps toward success.
But if I had stayed in my “safe” little comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail? I wouldn’t have experienced the small victories that accompanied the failures, the victories that gave me more and more confidence that I could tackle the BIG stuff. The dreams that light my heart on fire.
Yes, comfort zones feel safe, because stepping outside of them risks failure, letting ourselves down (again), or making ourselves look foolish. But that little voice is persistent. She keeps quietly calling bullsh*t on our fears, because she KNOWS how powerful our gifts are, and she’s going to keep whispering until we take the leap, cast off the doubters and go for it.
“Success is on the same road as failure. Success is just a little further down the road.”
-Jack Hyles
The key is staying on the road, not letting the failures along the way knock us off course.
Remembering that success doesn’t exist without failure.
Another favorite quote of mine is this one:
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas Edison.
And how can we argue with Edison? ;)
So instead of fearing the failures along the way or allowing them to derail us, thank them, because they are the stepping stones to the ultimate success and happiness we seek.
And truthfully, the only way to avoid the failures is to stay in those comfort zones. But that “comfort” might just cost us the amazing gifts we are meant to share with the world. And that would be the most uncomfortable feeling of all.
Xx Jen
Speaking of surrounding ourselves with like-minded, positive people, thank you for sharing your journey with me.