Getting Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable

They say that if you really want to stretch yourself and grow, then try doing something every day that scares you. What does that mean? Does that mean to rent the latest blockbuster thrillers that have all of the gore and guts and get your adrenaline going a million miles a minute?

Not in my book, but I like the philosophy. There are so many things that we quite possibly take for granted that others find intimidating. If you turn on one of the tabloid TV talk shows, you're libel to see someone with a weird phobia of balloons, or even trying to conquer a more normal one of heights.

I know that I used this test in my classes on Charisma about being UNCOMFORTABLE. Most often, with a few questions, you can normally find normal people who find regular things to be uncomfortable.

How about this list:

1. Going to a movie by yourself

2. Going to dinner alone

3. Walking into a party by yourself

4. Traveling alone to another city, renting a car and locating a destination all by yourself

5. Getting in a bathing suit in front of your friends

6. Speaking before a group of people

7. Leading a meeting

8. Flying on an airplane

9. Driving in a race car

10. Handling a snake

Okay, did anything in this list give you bit of nerves? Usually, all of us have things that give us the jitters. But the trick is to keep doing it over and over, until it becomes easy.

According to the book of lists, public speaking is the number one fear of all people. I've been in the public lecture business for a long time and have seen my fair share of professional speakers and performers. I've seen many people get nervous on stage and hide it well, but one performer really stood out to me as a glowing example of having fear and doing it anyway.

It was Scott Thomas. Better known as Carrot Top!

I saw him perform in front of a college crowd years ago when his career was on the way up. He was doing his funny act of showing the creative uses he'd designed for particular people using regular items that he combined to make something ridiculous; like putting a long haired pony tail on the end of a tennis racket for Andre Aggessi when he had long hair. He was always guaranteed a lot of laughs because he was so outrageous. But this particular time in the middle of the show, he stopped for a brief second and said to the audience, "oh my gosh! I just had a panic attack! Have you ever had a panic attack? I just had a panic attack right here in the middle of my performance!"

Then, with a rush of relief, he went on with his show and didn't skip another beat.

I was blown away by his understanding of the human mind and personality. Not only did he allow himself to behave out of the ordinary and admit to having a panic attack but he shared his stress with the audience and then continued the show. For that moment alone, I knew that that guy would never be stopped. He faced his fears head on, acknowledged them and then walked through the fear.

If you turn on Oprah or Dr. Phil, you'll find that peoples fears range from the fear of flying to the fear of being around balloons! Some are realistic and some are off the wall crazy. But one thing is for sure, the more you are exposed to the thing that you fear, you'll learn to deal with that fear and manage it.

The people who I coach for public speaking often times get sick in their stomach just at the very thought of having to get up in front of the audience. But taking time writing their message, rewriting it, doctoring it up and then ultimately practicing it makes them realize that they can conquer their fear of public speaking. When I coach someone with this issue, I work with them over and over in a small room with the camera ON. I'm the only other one in the room. In that safe environment, I'm able to first tell them, and then show them, when they are improving upon their message. My whole goal is to just GET THEM TO BE THEMSELVES in any situation. When they reach the point that they are able to laugh and joke, as if their friends are in the room, then I know that they have tackled the issue and triumphed!

What is it that scares you? Is it meeting new people? Is it going out and getting a job? Are you afraid of doing taxes? Are you afraid of heights?

Having some fear is healthy for us as it can allow all of our senses to be at their greatest capacity of alertness and will be fully functioning, but having our fear run us is a different matter. It holds us back, makes us lose out on things and events in life because we won't even try.

This weekend, challenge yourself. Take on something that is scary. Talk to that person in the hall you've seen for years and never had the guts to meet. Take a trip to the pool and venture out into the deep end. Just do something? ANYTHING.. that will stretch yourself.

I promise, when you do, you'll feel accomplished and you'll want to challenge yourself even more. Good luck and have fun!!!

Mary Gardner is an Executive Communications Consultant and Coach. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She enjoys seeing the best come out in people and has fun in the process. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5 and lives in Orlando, FL.

For More information contact: mary@marygardner.com / WEB: www.marygardner.com

---

The Core Curriculum Of A Wonderful Life

An acquaintance of mine once lamented that she was utterly... Read More

Busy Beavers Build Piles Of Sticks

"Well, you're just a busy beaver, aren't you?" You've either... Read More

Top Seven Ideas For Success

1. Any work activity, unless initiated at the earliest will... Read More

Double Your Brain Power

Do you think you have an "average" or perhaps an... Read More

Expectations

I'll let you in on a little secret...life delivers pretty... Read More

Self Improvement and the Power of Concentration

One the most important Self Improvement skills to develop to... Read More

What if You Fed Your Mind as Often as You Feed Your Stomach?

Many people consider reading books a waste of time. It... Read More

4 Scientific Strategies to Become Brilliant At Anything

In this brief article we will explore four methods that... Read More

Success - Overcoming Bodily Conditions Which Seem Impossible of Change

Conditions differ from circumstances. Circumstances are changeable conditions which merely... Read More

Glimpsing Your Personal Heaven

In my private practice for the past 13+ years I... Read More

Success Without Whining About Doing Your Best

In the film 'The Rock', Sean Connery takes a dim... Read More

The Major Key to Your Better Future is You

Of all the things that can have an effect on... Read More

Why Wealth is Loving, Caring, and Sharing

Wealth is more than money. It's abundance, or as the... Read More

Five Ways To Take A Vacation Without Taking A Vacation

Last month Along The Purpose Path was about how to... Read More

Amazing Mind Control Secret... Your Key to Ultimate Success

Understand and apply this one secret to your own life,... Read More

Clues for Success: Finding Answers Right in Front of Your Face

An old fable tells about a religious man and a... Read More

The Seven Cs of Success

Get ready to sail the Seven C's - the Seven... Read More

The Best Way to Perform the Miracle of Success

These days success is a hotly debated subject. Nevertheless, people... Read More

5 Key Ingredients of Business Success

What do you need to have for a successful business?... Read More

Feng Shuei To Attract Money

The first thing that you need to do is get... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Measure Twice, Cut Once

Measure twice, cut once Just as in carpentry, making sure... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Use Your Holidays

Use birthdays and other gift-giving holidays to help reach your... Read More

Success In An Ever Changing World?

Well, it's that time of the year again. No, I... Read More

Balance: Flow and Faith

In so many areas of life we must always be... Read More

The Psychology Of Success; Part 2

In the first part of this article you learned some... Read More

Decision-Making: The Right Way!

Why do some people end up with boring jobs living... Read More

Extend Your Influence Without Shortening Your Life

Please repeat these four words out loud: "Maximum Impact....Minimal Touch"... Read More

Reading For Success

We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More

Step Up To Success

Sometimes it is better to just get on with doing... Read More

The 7 Keys To Astonishing Success

Here are seven essential keys to success. Use these ideas... Read More

The Amazing Success Secret Anyone Can Start Using Today

However there is one success secret that costs nothing. And... Read More

Success Lessons From TV - What Key Life Skill Did Sugar Ray Teach?

Sugar Ray Leonard and Sylvester Stallone have recently hosted a... Read More

Do You Really Think So?

It's not new news. It's not some ethereal theory. It's... Read More