Your comfort zone is a beautiful place

Definition of comfort zone (Miriam Webster)

1. 1:  the temperature range within which one is comfortable
2. 2:  the level at which one functions with ease and familiarity

Let's be real with ourselves for a moment. Most of you would agree that your own unique comfort zone can be a great place. Within your comfort zone there is safety and little stress. Actually, staying in your comfort zone can result in consistent, steady performance.

BUT, think about it: Did you ever do something you were really proud of when you were playing it safe? Probably not. 

But who cares, right? You may be thinking " As long as I'm comfortable and safe it won't hurt anyone." WRONG!

Living within a comfort zone will come at a cost to you. Staying there is harmful to your physical, emotional and spiritual well being. Why? Because you were created to grow and learn. Your brain is 
working at full potential when you are learning. Think of a child's development. No one ever told a child just entering this world to mimic others, to try to walk or try to talk. It was an innate desire born into that child to desire to do more as that child grew in strength. Remember that child still lives in you and desires to experience and learn.

The first lie we tell ourselves is "I don't have time."

We all lead busy lives and we use our limited time as an excuse to not challenge ourselves. We often times say "I just don't have time." We use that statement as an excuse to stay the same. The reality is that claiming we don't have time is a lie we tell ourselves.

I have told myself and others this lie over and over again. BUT, I always find time to do the things I enjoy like going to the gym, shopping, watching television, etc. I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

Research suggests that we don’t have a realistic perspective when it comes to our use of time. For instance, one study shared that participants claimed to only get 6 or 7 hours of sleep, when time diaries showed they were actually getting more than 8 hours of sleep. Additionally, time studies have told us that when people are asked to label their week’s time, the weeks will often add up to more than 168 hours. Unfortunately, even the busiest of us have only 168 hours a week. And what we do with those 168 hours matters.

The solution? This Wall Street Journal article suggests that you swap the phrase “I don’t have time” with “It isn’t a priority.” So let's try that. "I'm not going to challenge myself because it isn't a priority." That just doesn't seem right. Something is terribly wrong with that statement. That change will surely make you re-evaluate your use of time.

We all get 168 hours per week. What will you do with yours?

The Secret to Overcoming Fear

Do you ever long to do something spontaneous? Do something completely out of the norm for you?

What stops you from doing that? Fear is likely the answer.

Fear can be crippling. If you allow it, fear will hold you hostage physically, emotionally and mentally. Fear is the number one barrier to living confidently. It's hold on us stunts our growth and holds us back from success, fulfillment and happiness. 

We don't always like to admit it but we experience fear every day. We don't do something we want to do because of fear or we do something we don't want to do because of fear. 

The reality is that most fear is unfounded. Fears arise from events or situations that haven't happened or may never happen. They originate from false beliefs and thinking. Ultimately it
reinforces mediocrity.

If you don't remember anything else from this blog, please remember that fear loses it's power when we actively trust God more than the fear. 

Tips to live fearlessly while trusting God:

1.      Be HONEST with yourself

The first step in living fearlessly is owning up to and accepting your fear. Often, we don’t even realize how much of our time is spent worrying about something. When you become aware of what the fear is remind yourself that 80% of fears NEVER HAPPEN. By owning your fear, you then have the power to put your trust in God to overcome that fear.

2.      Be PRESENT.

Fearfulness usually revolves around living in the future. You are afraid of what will or COULD happen and often dwell on that. It is impossible to change or even predict what will happen in the future. However much we plan and hope for, the reality is that we never really know what will happen next. God has a plan for the future. Rest in that and know that it is up to you to live today to the fullest. Live in the present.

3.      Be BOLD

Find those areas in your life where you feel fear. For me, it's a fear of rejection. I'm not entirely sure what 'rejection' I'm afraid of. I think it's about wanting the acceptance and love of others and making sure that I don't do anything to jeopardize that. What have I done to punch that fear square in the nose? Your reading it, I’m writing this blog. This fear will no longer hold me hostage.

What is it for you? Look those fears in the eye, and accept a little discomfort so you can reap the great rewards of stepping out of your comfort zone.

Determine that starting today you will no longer be controlled by fear and you will start living the purpose filled life you were created to live.