What Scared You Today?

“Do one thing every day that scares you.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

Have you walked outside your comfort zone recently?  Some might ask, “Why would you?” Well, the answer is growth & expansion! It is easy to move along in the hazy fog of everyday living. Our routines and habits determining what we mechanically choose to do, be and say.  Studies have shown that more than 86% of a person’s day consists of habitual, autopilot behaviors. These are the actions that are done without thought. You know, taking a shower without needing to think about it while your mind contemplates the activities for the day ahead. This is an innate response of the brain that actually helps us move through our day without thinking about every little thing that needs to occur, like lifting your leg each time you take a step.  Unfortunately, more often than not, it is easy to allow this mode of “unthinking” to dominate every moment of every day.  This is one reason it is so important to be consciously present and live fully awake in the now.  Living in the now allows you to consciously choose what is in your best interest to do, be and say in any given moment.  There are a few ways to help you wake-up and move out of the dazed delirium and into a mindful and vibrant daily presence.

Move Out of Your Comfort Zone:

As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Do one thing every day that scares you.” These words are sometimes misinterpreted. When I hear this, I think of it as a call to action to move out of your comfort zone.  It is so easy to do the same things day after day.  But, when you shift gears and begin to diverge from your same-old worn out path you need to be fully present to watch where you step to avoid pitfalls or obstacles in the way. This presence moves you from a state of unconscious living to a state of awakened existence.  Even if it is scary it stirs heightened sensations from every sense. This helps you feel truly alive!

I recently spent some time with a friend who had one of those move-out-of-your comfort-zone moments.  She fully acknowledged that she was uncomfortable with the situation at hand, but instead of resisting she took a deep breath and explained that one of her recent motto’s was to “Do one thing each day that scares (her)”. She took on the challenge and came out the other side stronger and pleasantly uplifted.

How can I?

In my business it has been a year of taking on new challenges, risks and first time endeavors. If I had said “No” to any of the opportunities I would not be where I am today or have felt the exhilaration and excitement that has come from so many outside-my-comfort-zone moments.  Each time one of these situations presents itself; I take a deep breath and think to myself, “How can I?”  This attitude has allowed me to grow on each occasion and feel the exhilaration of being present, consciously alert and living in a state of mindfulness.

Observe:

Begin to notice what habits you have.  Those are the consistent things you do each day.  Highly successful people purposefully develop positive habits that help them function at an elevated level.  But, before they can do that they need to be cognizant of their habits in general.  Are these habits serving them in a supportive way or depleting them on many levels.  Begin to notice your daily habits.  Maybe replace one habit for something new that is outside your comfort zone.  I would love to hear what that is and how it made you feel!

Growth and expansion come from trying new things and moving beyond where you once were. Awakening comes from not accepting the status quo, raising the bar of awareness to new heights and conquering the blocks that hold us back. These moments of presence and clarity wipe away the habitual fog of everyday repetitiousness and move you to vibrant and exhilarated living. What one thing will you do today that scares you and wakes up all of your senses?

If you haven’t already signed up to receive solutions & tips to help you live your best life, click here to receive your FREE E-Book and Bonus Gift, plus our weekly Home in Harmony Lifestyle Newsletter!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO