Who likes getting outside your comfort zone, stretching to do something that feels uncomfortable and foreign to you?
Can I get a show of hands?
Hmmm. Just like I suspected. I see no hands raised here.
It’s uncomfortable to get outside your comfort zone and we tend to not want to do that. However, it gets pretty boring inside that comfort zone after a while. And the reality is that all the great things in life are outside those comfort zone walls.
This poem sums it up pretty well, though . . .
The Comfort Zone
by Anonymous
I used to have a comfort zone
where I knew I couldn’t fail,
The same four walls of busywork
were really more like a jail
I longed so much to do the things
I’d never done before,
But I stayed inside my comfort zone
and paced the same old floor
I said it didn’t matter
that I wasn’t doing much,
I said I didn’t care for things
like diamonds or furs and such
I claimed to be so busy
with the things inside my zone,
But deep inside I longed for
something special of my own
I couldn’t let my life go by
just watching others win,
I held my breath and stepped outside
to let the change begin
I took a step and with new strength
I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye
and closed and locked the door
If you are in a comfort zone
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners
were at one time filled with doubt
A step or two and words of praise
can make your dreams come true
Greet your future with a smile,
success is there for you!
Stretch Yourself Challenge 2019
Every year in September, Kelly McCausey from Love People Make Money hosts a Stretch Yourself Challenge. 2019 marks the 10th year for Kelly hosting the challenge as well as my 4th year participating in the challenge.
The Stretch Yourself Challenge is designed to help entrepreneurs do something for their business around content marketing that they otherwise would not be comfortable doing. Things they most likely would not tackle alone. There’s a huge community component to help support and push as everyone chooses a challenge or two and steps outside their comfort zone. In 2019, close to 100 participants said yes to the challenge and there will likely be more stretchers joining by the end of the first week.
Choose Your Own Adventure
Since this is a ‘choose your own adventure’ type of challenge, you get to pick one or more of 15 different challenges to kick your own butt outside your cushy comfort zone. Some of the challenges are relatively easy–not intimidating at all. Like sharing your expertise through writing a blog post and then promoting it to increase your visibility. That rates low on the intimidation scale to most people.
Some of the challenges are scary as hell, though. Like volunteer or apply to speak live for an event or start a YouTube Channel! Since fear of public speaking is higher than the fear of death, you can imagine how intimidating those challenges are to most participants. Yet every year there are people who pick the scariest challenges to jump into and they finish them.
It’s you who gets to decide which of these adventures you want to raise your hand to complete. You can actually do more than one challenge during the month if you choose.
But Wait, There’s More!
There are fun additional events throughout the month with guest speakers, prizes for finishing the challenge (the rules for what constitutes a finisher change every year) and in 2019, team competition has been introduced!! Additionally, grand prizes are offered for those overachievers who rack up the most points during the month–points that are awarded for posting your daily activities towards your challenge, tackling some additional mini-challenges and sharing with others.
Why I’m A Hell Yes To The Stretch Yourself Challenge
The Stretch Yourself Challenge totally changed my business and my mindset in 2018. I tackled and completed hosting a fundraiser bundle that raised money for a non-profit. It was the first and most successful project I had ever completed online at that point!
I’m doing the Stretch Yourself Challenge again in 2019 because I’ve learned just how great this challenge is to help me create momentum to finish the year strong. I know I’ll learn new things with the support of a great community and some friendly competition. I know I’ll be tackling tasks that I would otherwise keep putting off unless I draw that line in the sand and declare that I’m in to complete something!
For example, in 2019 I’m planning to create a Facebook Live series over 5 days. After declaring it all over the internet now, you bet I feel like I can’t back out! I’m also planning to fit in several other challenges from the guide–after all, there are 15 challenges and 30 days in September!
You Can Stretch, Too!
When you join the Stretch Yourself Challenge in the first week of September, you’ll have the added benefit of going through the month with the support of a group of like-minded stretchers competing and cheering you on.
And if you’re reading this blog past the month of September, never fear–the Stretch Yourself Challenge is available yearlong as a self-study! And if you want a cheerleader and a competitor to go through it with you in any of the other eleven months of the year, give me a shout–I might just take you up on that and do it with you all over again!
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What I have learned is that what appears scary to me is a piece of cake for someone else and vice versa. It is time to step forward, really stretch past my fear and take action…after all I cannot get someone else to live my life for me! Ready to Stretch and Live!
Thank you for your comment, Joyce. It’s so true how we are each on our own journey, and no one can live someone else’s life. Go forth and stretch this month with the Stretch Yourself Challenge–can’t wait to see the results of your stretching!
Yea for you Melissa. I hear you about the fear of public speaking. It’s not easy. The thing is, the long I procrastinate on talking on line, the scarier it feels. So like you, I’ll be doing some Facebook Live videos and adding to my YouTube channel.
I look forward in seeing in the group and cheering you on.
Claudette Chenevert
Thank you, Claudette! That’s so true what you say about prolonging the fear about something makes it much scarier. Then it turns into a bigger monster than it necessarily would be if we just jump in and knock it off without all the fear, worry, and procrastination. Looking forward to all the fun things this month in the Stretch Yourself Challenge. So glad you’re in it!
Wow, I’ve never read that poem before. Sure nails that safe “comfort zone” trap we can hide in. Glad to be sharing this SYC adventure with you.
Thank you so much, Kat! I’m loving the Stretch Yourself Challenge and meeting so many wonderful stretchers. So glad we’re doing this together. ❤️
That poem is a perfect fit! I love that we’re all stepping out of our comfort zones together. Doing this among friends and supporters makes all the difference.
Thanks, Samantha! I’ve always loved that poem and every year with the Stretch Yourself Challenge, it pops into my mind. So happy to be with all these amazing stretchers–and very glad we met in person this summer!!
Finding safety in the four walls you’re accustomed to is so easy to fall back into.. and I know because I am agoraphobic. The thing is, you’re so right that pushing through that comfort is going to be a good thing even if you think you don’t have time. We make time for things that matter to us. Every time I challenge myself to step outside my door I feel accomplished even though I am always, every single time, uncomfortable. At one of Kelly’s event’s someone said something to me once about being uncomfortable that I like… and that still pushes me to this day… it was something like “on the other side of discomfort is growth” or something. I’m glad you’re going to stretch and grow because I know you have so much to offer.
Thank you Stephanie! I like that quote about what’s on the other side of discomfort. Reminds me of a quote by Brooke Castillo of The Life Coach School: “Discomfort is the currency to your dreams.” So glad you’re stretching in the Stretch Yourself Challenge this year and can’t wait to see how expanded your comfort zone is going to become!!
I really like that poem you shared! And it makes me feel good to know you had such a great success last year. That gives me courage and hope 🙂
Thank you so much, Luanna! Yes, last year’s Stretch Yourself Challenge was definitely a game-changing event! So as the saying goes, buckle up your seat belt–this is gonna be good again this year!
You’re such an inspiration Melissa as you show up fully to everything you do. I love this wonderful poem and a reminder that “I kissed my comfort zone goodbye”.
Thank you so much, Rosie! If I seem inspiring, it’s because I’m reflecting from you! You’ve inspired me for years. Let’s go conquer this Stretch Yourself Challenge 2019 together!!!
Love the poem! It’s interesting that you mention the fear of public speaking. Last summer I went ziplining with my sisters and I am terrified of heights. I called the place before we went and GRILLED the guy for details. He said that people who have fear of heights are usually still able to do it. And HE commented that the only fear worse than the fear of heights is the fear of public speaking.
I said “I’ve already done that one, so I guess I’m good.” LOL
Really great post!
Thank you, Teresa! That’s funny about the zipline–I did that in Costa Rica and I temporarily forgot about my fear of heights–just got caught up in the excitement of everything. Once I had gone through the first zip that was not that far up, I had a moment where I realized, Oh s#!t, there’s only one direction and I can’t back out now. I had the best time although I was terrified. Sometimes we just have to keep going and not look back to get to the other side!
Goodness, look how far we’ve come from that first stretch and challenge we did together years ago! Every time we stretch (and get uncomfortable) we go further and further, often in unexpected directions. I’m so happy to be on this business and content journey alongside you.
And I LOVE the poem!
Jennifer, thanks so much for coming to comment! My oh my haven’t we come far from those long-ago stretches!? So pleased to be stretching with you, too, this month and so looking forward to all the goodness that’s happening as a result of the Stretch Yourself Challenge.
Oh boy, I have never seen that poem before and oh my gosh… it summed me, or at least the old me, up to a T! But the part that gave me goosebumps:
“I longed so much to do the things
I’d never done before,
But I stayed inside my comfort zone
and paced the same old floor”
Yep, this so much! For years I paced that same old floor.
I’ve loved watching you stretch, grow, and bloom Melissa. I can’t wait to continue watching you grow!
Thank you so much, Tishia!! I think it must have been 10-12 years ago that I first heard that poem and it really stuck with me! I’ve watched you get outside your comfort zone’s wall so much in the past few years and you always inspire me with your no-turning back attitude. Whether conquering bridges, fear of heights, moving across country, adopting a rescue pup or modeling in a bathing suit just to name a few places I’ve seen you stretch! And I’ve seen how happy you’ve grown by leaving those comforting walls, too!! Kudos to you.
I LOVE that poem!! And the fear of public speaking being stronger than the fear of death – YES!! I can so relate! It makes it so much easier to work through those fears with the support and guidance of this awesome community! Good luck on your FB Live Series!! So excited for you!
Kristin, thank you for your comment! Oh yeah, the fear of public speaking . . . I joined Toastmasters 8 years ago to help me stretch outside my comfort zone on that one. That’s definitely been a huge help to teach the butterflies in the stomach to fly in formation when I’m doing public speaking. I’m still in Toastmasters and this year, I stepped outside the comfort zone that I’ve built inside my home club and competed in an area contest. I didn’t win but it was definitely a stretching experience!
I love the poem! I had seen it years ago and forgotten about it, so it was really nice — and timely — to read it again. And it’s also great to hear how incredible the challenge was for you last year! Many congrats on taking action that obviously created momentum. And good luck again this year! 🙂
Thank you so much, Karin! I’m very excited about continuing on the momentum train again this year with the Stretch Yourself Challenge! It’s only been a few days and I’m feeling the fire burning already! I can’t wait to see what leaps you’re making this year, too!
Melissa, you are a poster child for stretching ever since I met you. I don’t remember you even one time shrinking back from an opportunity to go to the next level 🙂
Here’s to many MORE!
Kelly, I love that! Poster child for stretching!! ❤️ With you as a guide and mentor, I feel like I can do anything! Thank you for all that you do. I’m so excited to kick butt this month for the Stretch Yourself Challenge and in only a few days, I’ve done way more than usual–looking forward to being BOLD and going for the big prizes!!
Love that poem! I’m definitely feeling that!
Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment, Shannon! So glad you liked the poem and I know you’re stretching big time with me this month in the SYC–here’s to being stretched and loving it!!
Melissa, that poem really spoke to me so much so that I need to read it daily. It was perfect. Thank you for sharing something that really touched my heart.
Tara, I am so grateful for your comment. So often we put things out here into the internet Universe and wonder if anyone is listening or reading. If even one person is touched, then it’s all worth it! I had this poem printed out on a sheet and posted by my computer years ago and I read it daily. Then somehow after a while it got buried in some papers and disappeared until this month when it reappeared–some synchronicity. It’s a great one to read through and internalize daily. So happy you liked it, too.
I love that poem! It is so empowering to realize we are all stepping out of our comfort zones in some way.
Thank you, Benecia! That poem is great for the Stretch Yourself Challenge and I’m so glad you loved it. Can’t wait to see what awesome results we all get by the end of the month and beyond from the efforts we make to remodel our comfort zones and stretch outside them!!
The part of the poem that really resonates with me is, “I claimed to be so busy
with the things inside my zone”.
Although I really am busy, I know that sometimes I use that as an excuse to maintain the status quo. Thanks so much for posting that poem!
Maureen, you are so right about the ‘busy excuse’ and so many people, including myself, have used that one! I’ve recently tried to banish the word ‘busy’ and replace it with the word ‘productive’. I don’t want to be busy anymore, I want to be productive!! So glad you’re stretching in the Stretch Yourself Challenge! Here’s to a grand and productive month and beyond!
The poem says it all! We stretch into the discomfort, feel the fear and do it anyway, and everyone benefits. Well done, Melissa!
Brooke, thank you for reminding me about one of my favorite books, Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers. So glad you’re stretching with all of us in the 2019 Stretch Yourself Challenge! Woo Hoo!!
I love that poem! It may even have caused a tear or two to fall when I think about all the times I claimed to be so busy when really I was just too chicken to try something new.
Thanks for your comment, Ruth! We’ve all been there–claiming to be busy when in fact it was fear that was the truth. But you’ve said the big HELL YES to the Stretch Yourself Challenge and no more chicken for you!
Love the poem and can’t wait to see your Facebook Lives! After all I have seen you do this year, I know you can do it!
Thank you so much, Renee! Facebook Lives coming up this week! I’m buckling on my seat belt and looking forward to having fun and leaving the fear behind!
I love how your turn challenge to adventure, a new adventure. Right?
I removes the negative thoughts and get you exciting to do it.
Love it!
Thank you so much for commenting, Sabrina! Yes, turn that challenge into an adventure and change your mindset about how scary it is. Fear is just excitement without the breath. Take a deep breath, keep breathing and let the adventures begin!
Great point about declaring your challenge choice for others to hear. It’s so much easier to back out and choose something easier if we don’t have accountability for our intentions. And it’s great to have a supportive group to cheer us on.
So true, Jo! Accountability has been such a great tool to keep me true to my intentions. Whether announcing in a group or email or telling my accountability buddies about what I intend to do weekly and knowing I will have to be held accountable if I don’t do the things–these habits keep me in integrity and getting the scary stuff done. Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
You’re an exquisite writer, Melissa! I LOVE how you captured our attention right off the bat by asking for a show of hands, just like…well, a public speaker up on stage!
Your comment about how boring it gets inside the comfort zone along with that awesome poem describe the life of my best friend. She’s “comfortably” retired (and by that, I mean EXTREMELY comfortable in terms of wealth), but she refuses to push past her comfort zone when it comes to activities, communication, or anything that makes her the slightest bit uncomfortable. Consequently, she lives in a state of perpetual boredom and dissatisfaction. What’s even sadder is that she KNOWS she does this, yet she still refuses to step outside her comfort zone despite having the means and time to do so.
Every now and then, I manage to entice her to shake things up *a little.* It took me four years of persuasion to get her to come with me on an annual art retreat. She ended up having the time of her life, and it’s now the thing she looks forward to all year!
Thank you for providing a reminder for me about why I stretch and the high cost of not stretching. This gives me renewed energy to push through the Stretch Yourself Challenge with verve and vigor!
Oh Rena, thank you so much for your comment! I actually have pushed past my paralyzing fear of public speaking to now embrace and look forward to speaking in public–I like to say that the butterflies I feel now are flying in formation instead of in chaos. Instead of paralyzing fear, I feel excitement and anticipation of the thrill of it. I love getting better and improving with each new speech. Toastmasters has given me that confidence to push past those fears.
I feel the sadness that you feel for your friend and her inability to push past her comfort zone. How wonderful that you were able to persuade her to go to the art retreat and how meaningful that is to her now. You serve as a model for her for living life to its fullest–squeezing out all the drops of juiciness that the world has to offer as long as you’re willing to stretch a bit to reach it. Perhaps she will not be able to resist stretching again in some other areas by watching you soar with the SYC this month. I’m so glad you’re a part of it! Imagine all the ripples . . . .
I’m really enjoying all the SYC posts in LPMM Facebook group, so much inspiration and excitement. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping and commenting, Loretta! The Stretch Yourself Challenge is such an amazing event and I’m so glad you’re a part of it! ❤️
Melissa, those words in that poem describe me. Yes me. I think I’m gonna find a way to reflect on those words throughout this challenge. It’s an eloquent way to say, Just Do It Already!
Thanks, Kim! Yes, just do it! Take action and adjust as you go. So glad you’re stretching in the Stretch Yourself Challenge and can’t wait to see how far we’ve all gone by the end of this month. And that will just be the beginning of the momentum that comes from this challenge!!
I have never seen/read the Comfort Zone poem before. So enlightening. Thank you for the reminder that staying in the confines of a comfort zone, can get boring and we don’t even know it. Once we realize that there is something far beyond the four walls of that comfort zone, we can do anything.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Lynn! You are so right, it becomes so boring staying in that comfort zone. Most don’t even realize it–it’s like that boiling frog scenario, they don’t even realize they’re trapped in there.
So glad you’re also participating in the Stretch Yourself Challenge with me.
Ooohhh…I love that poem!
It’s funny that in some areas of my life I like to stay inside the boundaries of my comfort zone and then in others, bring on the adventure. I suppose that even when I’m adventurous, I’m acting within my comfort zone. Something for me to contemplate.
Great job summarizing the challenge. How can anyone not want to participate! 🙂
Thank you, Julie! Interesting thought about still being in your comfort zone when you’re experiencing adventure. Maybe you’ve got a wide comfort zone or you’re not stretching yourself as much as you think with your adventures. Hmmm Definitely food for thought there. So glad you’re participating in the Stretch Yourself Challenge–there’s lot of room for scary as heck adventures there!
Great little poem and you’re right, our comfort zone gets pretty boring after awhile.
Boring is well, just boring, right Carol? Bring on the adventures and excitement–it’s good for the heart! Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
I love the poem and that you had success last year. I am so excited about what I am doing this year.
Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting, Elizabeth. I’m excited that you’re excited, too!! Can’t wait to see what you and all of us have accomplished in this fabulous stretching month! And it’s just the beginning of the momentum for more to come.
I think the end of the poem you used says it well:
If you are in a comfort zone
afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners
were at one time filled with doubt
A step or two and words of praise
can make your dreams come true
Greet your future with a smile,
success is there for you!
Kelly’s stretch yourself challenge definitely helps and motivates us to take those few steps outside of our comfort zone.
Evelyn, thank you for your comment. It’s taken me a long time to venture outside some comfort zone walls I’ve built up and always thought I was the only one with the doubts. Now I know that’s BS and everyone has those same doubts–it’s the successful ones who feel the fear and doubt and do it anyway. So glad you’re stretching in the Stretch Yourself Challenge!