At times when I’ve choose to came to stepping out of my comfort zone, I ask “Where am I going? Where does this line up with who I am?”. But like for so many, it is rare we choose or get asked if we want to come out of our comfort zone. Psychologist Alaisdair White defines comfort zone as “a behavioral state within which a person operates in an anxiety-neutral condition, using a limited set of behaviors to deliver a steady level of performance, usually without a sense of risk.” According to this definition, the main goal of the comfort zone is not optimal performance, but rather sustainable performance that minimizes stress. I’ve always been open to explore my limits and grow from the experience. There have been events and adventures that made people ask me “why?” or “what’s the point?” The only answer I come up with is, because I’ve never done it. Sure there are thing I haven’t done that I that I know not to do. Waking up in Vegas with no memory of the night before sounds like a good example.
The people that don’t understand are usually the ones that are unhappiest. They talk about how much they dislike their job, about a restaurant, school, bills, and roommates. They talk about the latest celebrity gossip, Facebook and never look like they are really present in the moment. I once saw John C. Maxwell give a sermon at 12 Stone, and he told a story. There was a man by the name of Bill. Everyday when Bill sat for lunch he would get upset. After a week his coworker, Phil, asked “what’s the matter? Why are you so mad?” with disappointment Bill replies “Everyday I get a bologna sandwich! I’m so sick of bologna! No More! If I get bologna one more time….” Phil smiles at him with approval. The next day, Bill looked in his lunchbox, threw it on the floor and yelled “Not again!” Phil looked puzzled. Bill sounded set on changing things up. Phil asked Bill “Why didn’t you tell your wife not to pack bologna?” Bill gives Phil a stern look and says “Leave my wife out of this, I PACK MY OWN LUNCH!” Point of the Story was, sometime we are the ones serving what we get. All our disappointments and frustrations come from our unwillingness to change. As George Bernard Shaw said, “Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” In order to maximize performance, we need a state of relative anxiety — a space where our stress levels are slightly higher than normal. This is the space of “optimal anxiety,” and it’s just outside our comfort zone.
The locations and destinations listed on this route is not WHERE I’m going. I am following God where comfort meets anxiety. A place that you can read about and watch in videos but never know. Go somewhere between ordinary and extraordinary. There is a fear that comes with entering the unknown but I’ve come to learn that fear is the fuel I need to light my faith in God.
Thank you for reading a little more about my story. If you missed any blogs before this one feel free to catch up. If you have any question or comments text or call me please. Thanks again and God bless
Eric
678-859-2667
