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1 career (and life) lesson to prioritize so you can get ahead!
Fearing the unknown and imagining what could go wrong held me back for years. But because of everything going on lately, instead of holding back with fear, I started to take more chances and got out of my comfort zone. While this might sound exciting/easy to many, that’s a terrifying thing for me to try and improve on (or at least I thought).
And because I am learning to be open-minded, I've discovered I am a talented data analyst (which has nothing to do with my job description!). That’s because I started to ask more questions, work with different departments more often and generally learn from the experts around me to help improve myself. Have you done anything that’s gotten you out of your comfort zone? What happened? Would love to hear more!
Brianne Stanley
Teacher, Writer & Editor
123
08/31/20 at 9:46PM UTC
It's nice to hear that taking that leap worked out for you! I've always put my passion on the back burner for fear of failure. From ghost-writing blogs, to now having a blog of my own, I've hid behind my jobs as a reason not to launch my own writing career. This year reignited a flame and, honestly, seeing posts like this is fuel to the fire. Thank you for sharing your story and for reminding me that change, while sometimes terrifying, can lead to wonderful outcomes!
Lauren HuttonCorporate Communications Professional
29
08/14/20 at 1:38PM UTC
Great post! Congrats on your success! You offer a wonderful pearl of wisdom to the FGB community. We often don't take the time to truly assess how much fear plays a role in our decision making. It's caused me to make less than stellar career decisions because I was afraid of the uncertainty. The first step to overcome is to acknowledge the fear, and if you are aware of it, you can plan to overcome it actively. I take an online instructor-led fitness class, one of the instructor's mantras: "Do you want it more than you fear it?" I started to adopt it too. Thank you for sharing!
BarbieEthical Workplace Health and Safety Leader
31
08/14/20 at 1:12AM UTC
"Networking" is bit scary and phony for ME. I do not excel at chit-chat I want to hear your story and learn about YOU. So I needed to start thinking about networking differently and as simple as sounds when I think of it as making connections it becomes easier for me to reach out (knowing I can learn more about the person after I do). Being able to do this virtually helps too!
AJ MitchellDOES IT ALL
40
08/13/20 at 2:26PM UTC
Thank you BossBrandy! Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Personally, I never turn down networking opportunties even when they have lots to potential to be uncomfortable.
I started a new job in Technology about six months ago after working for 15 years in Operations. The language spoken by my teammates sounds very foreign but I am learning everyday.
Gail Orfanos, CMP, HMCCMeetings & Events
154
08/12/20 at 5:43PM UTC
What a great post, good for you! Jumping out of your comfort zone is the best thing for personal and professional growth. It also helps you become more confident in your abilities and enables you to understand your limitations. I often find myself volunteering or accepting contracts that are beyond my skillset. Challenging yourself also helps with handling adversity and gives you the "I got this" mindset.
Helen HanisonHelen Hanison's Leadership Coaching
436
08/12/20 at 9:21AM UTC
How refreshing! I know I felt more than a little uncomfortable when I circled all the way back to Uni for a second degree in Psychology a few years ago - as a very mature, mature student! i nearly transferred to a masters in journalism because statistics felt that stretching! But by the time I'd lined it all up with faculty, I could see next semester's options. And the winning driver was that curiosity. I got a first class honours, and built on that psych background to run my own executive coaching business. I wouldn't look back. I love your backstory here, and the takeout, I think, is employ our curiosity, ask questions, follow where that takes you with a discoverer's mindset in place. Nice work. But don't stop - that m.o. will always serve and that kind of career agility is profoundly important in these times i think. Thanks for the share. Warmly, Helen
Kim MitchamEarly Education Specialist
13
08/11/20 at 8:13PM UTC
I have learned that as women we frequently tear ourselves down into "bite-sized" chunks so we can better serve others. My new motto is to try and stay whole...if people "choke" it is because they choose not to accept me.
Lynn Hartmann
32
08/11/20 at 8:08PM UTC
If it's meant to be for you, it will happen. Don't give up or feel like a failure if you are chosen for a job. That wasn't meant for you and something better is meant for you!
Laura ChevalierSoftware Engineer
37
08/09/20 at 8:19PM UTC
I love this! I recently accepted an offer for a position that is pretty ambiguously defined, and so I know it's going to be partly up to me to define the role according to my skills, my skills-to-be, and my curiosities. It's hard to make the decision to take on the unknown, especially when you're leaving a position of comfort to do so. But I think we stand to gain so much more, personally and professionally, by exploring those parts of ourselves we have yet to engage, or have yet to engage fully. It makes me think of this Spanish poem by Antonio Machado, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/58815/traveler-your-footprints. Enjoy treading your own path!
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