Growth happens when you're uncomfortable

Last week, at a friend’s dinner party, I had the privilege to meet a group of people who reminded me again just how much we have to gain when we take risks outside of our comfort zones. And just how much we stand to lose when we don’t.?

A man from Ecuador who moved to this country first to drive long-haul trucks, was recognised for his dedication and intelligence, and now manages the trucking operations of a large American trucking company.?

A man from Korea who moved to this country not speaking a word of English, taught himself the language as he worked for minimum wage while putting himself through school, and is now an occupational therapist in a large and renowned medical centre.?

A woman running away from a broken home, who put herself through college and now has her dream job teaching young kids with learning disabilities at one of Long Island’s largest school systems.?

It had been a long time since I came face to face with this level of grit, courage, audacity and passion. It was raw, and inspiring, and reminded me once again that growth happens only when we have the courage to step out of our comfort zones.??

Discomfort and friction create opportunity - but it’s about how you deal with them.? Brent Cassell of Gartner’s Advisory practice talks about an “Everyday Bold” framework for organisations, which applies to leaders too. Here’s 3 elements that enable you to activate boldness in your everyday life.?

• Stability - you can't take a risky leap if you don’t have a stable foundation from which to launch. So identify any key areas of instability in your life, and address those first.?
• Trust - The more you surround yourself with a supportive network of people you trust, the safer your risks will feel. Build networks across your circles (friends, family, colleagues, mentors) who you trust deeply.?
• Forging Ahead - embracing the new requires being willing to give up the old. Integrate the new into the way you do things, and know that both wins and fails are a feature, not a bug, of personal growth.?

“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” ~Wayne Gretzky

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