Out of comfort zone (what a Chevy Impala taught me yesterday)

As some of you know I recently had a woman plow into the side of my Scion XB, requiring it to go to the Body Shop.
I was given a rental car yesterday, a Chevy Impala, which apparently is a nice car and I should be happy about it.

Yet, my entire day was off, and I initially blamed the car…this morning I blame myself.

I don’t like change….I admit it.
Yet my daily life changes all the time, my businesses change…so it seemed odd that I’d say that I don’t like change.

Some areas of my life I do not like change…mainly what I’m COMFORTABLE with!

The Impala was not what I was comfortable with—it sits lower to ground than XB, it has heavier doors that when you open part way come back on you (I have bruises already from this), the seat belt for the drivers side is in weird spot so if you’re not used to stepping UP to get out of the car the back of your thigh hits it (I have bruises from this as well), it takes more gas than my XB, it has a weird funk smell in it, unbeknown to me when you take the key out of the ignition the radio (that doesn’t get my station WayFm – which could have  accounted for part of my ‘off’ mood as well) stays on (how would I know that!? I like the basics that my XB has) — learned this after calling my daughter’s father (mr. mobile mechanic) and asking him — his response “Open the door, Tara. It’ll shut off then. It’s for convenience” —ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! (learn something new every day huh?!) It was that simple– “just open the door”.

I got beat up & bruised by a car yesterday.
The same thing could very well happen if we step out of our comfort zone and seek new opportunities, but in the process we grow, we learn, we become more appreciative and receptive to new opportunities –making it worth it.
The bruises will heal, and the benefits of expanding your comfort zone will be countless.

“We rejoice in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4

Now, granted-it should not have been ‘sufferings’ yesterday driving the Impala (yet I’m not driving today except for maybe a mile-it’s sitting in the parking lot waiting until I get the call -hopefully tomorrow- that Scion XB is ready!), but to me it was. I let my comfort zone issues dictate my entire day yesterday. That’s not good! We all need to know that through suffering (be it driving an unfamiliar bruise-inducing Impala, or starting a new business, dealing with an ex-partner finding someone else, dealing with other life issues) that when we come out on the other side if we act appropriately it builds perseverance, character and hope. Who’s to say if that’ll happen with me due to this because I definitely was not rejoicing yesterday. However; this morning I finally get it, so perhaps it’s not too late after all! (it never is really too late! It may seem like it but it’s not!)

If you remain in your comfort zone you will not go any further.
~Catherine Pulsifer~

Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.
~Brian Tracy~

Are you stuck in your comfort zone?
Is there an uncomfortable “Chevy Impala” in your life right now?
Need help growing? Let me know.
Need help “opening the door”? I’m here for you.
email me and we can discuss coaching courses or one on one coaching options that will help you expand your comfort zone and enable you to move forward!