I had a conversation with a good friend recently and was interested in a meaningful conversation that we had back in July. I’ll refer to her as Jane to keep her identity private.
After a few days of this first conversation with Jane came her reply, “You took me way out of my comfort zone!”
Cringe for the Coach’s Hat
In the middle of that conversation, I consciously put on my coach hat and began guiding her through an exploration of the reasons what she wasn’t doing to get the answers she was looking for.
There’s a severe health issue that has prevented Jane from ever working. Her insurance company was frequently sending her notifications about when she was likely back to work. There was some kind of deadline. Stress and anxiety dominated her entire body.
The first time I shook my head at first, thinking that I had strayed from my limits because she appeared extremely irritable at the idea of having to tackle this problem. When I left Jane the next day, she said she would have a couple of days to contemplate her issue and see the options and possibilities available to her in order to achieve the life she desired.
Nice & Tidy Lifestyle – Busted
While I accompanied her on my trip and she started to feel as if she was breaking out of her familiar zone. Indeed, she admitted that she had gone to great lengths to make an orderly, tidy zone, believing it would remain the same way for a long time.
The questions I asked Jane were:
“How could you take control over this situation you are facing?”
“If you had to go back to work, what are you capable of doing?”
“If you simply don’t see yourself going back to work, what can you do to keep the lifestyle you are now enjoying?”
These very questions made Jane leave her comfort zone, but it was necessary so she could broaden her horizons and think of the possibilities and take action in response to these ideas.
Discomfort is the basis of a Lifestyle.
Ah, Jane was upset with me for a couple of days. She believed that I was responsible for her anger. However, the fear she felt and doubt prevailed. Her lifestyle was threatened. How dare I bring her to a situation where she was required to think of her own strategy to control her life. Jane seemed to be very cozy in her comfy box.
Jane’s task was to sketch out her options and choices and then explore the possibilities she had in her mind. After that, Jane had to step past her doubt and fear further and decide what action she required to achieve her goals.
Head Hits Resulted in Results
As Jane considers her past, she realizes that this was the exact “hit on the head” she required to ensure her future. Jane now has the life she desires. The documentation and red tape are completed. There is no need to return to work. She is also considering volunteering opportunities.
Jane is now more whole. She now realizes that trying so hard to squeeze herself into a zone of comfort and then hoping that it doesn’t explode and cause a mess isn’t the way to go about living the life she’s always wanted. However this case, her comfort zone explodes, leaving her confused and lost, wondering what’s occurred.
Opportunities and Options Flow Out
I’d like to thank Jane for letting me take part in her journey. It is a reminder of my personal comfort zone(s). The idea that we create a world that we are comfortable making, I believe that is actually hindering our ability to expand and grow. We block out any possibilities and opportunities.
To me, it’s been about living our lives each step at a time. Each step is an opportunity to have a look around and look around to see what’s available. We live in a time that is full of possibilities and options everywhere. Just grab one and discover where it will bring you. You can then grab another and start building your life the way you want it to be.
An invitation by Nancy Beaton, Life Coach
Life Coach who is solution-focused, supporting busy women who run businesses and women who want to a more fulfilling and fulfilling life in alignment and to let go of the stress and procrastination.
You’re a busy woman who has a job and everyday life that pulls you in many directions. You may call it routine.
