“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.” ~Abraham Maslow. On vacation last summer, my family was planning a parasailing adventure. I was planning to sit in the boat and watch them go up. I am afraid of heights, so it just seemed too scary for me. That morning, while I was sitting by the pool, a lady in her 70’s was sitting next to me. We got to talking about parasailing and she said that she had just gone the day before at it was such a thrill. I asked her if she was scared and she said that she was, but it was just something she wanted to do. She chose to go out of her comfort zone to experience something new; something that she had never experienced before, for the sheer memory of it. Wow. If she could do it, I could do it. So, I did.

I was surprised that it wasn’t that scary after all. I had worked myself up to expect that the experience would be much scarier than it actually was. For those of you who are afraid of heights, there is no sense of falling at all when you parasail, just a slow, steady climb. The view was spectacular. We saw things that you just don’t get to see otherwise. And, I did make a special memory.
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” ~Brian Tracy. I’m glad that I chose to go out of my comfort zone to try something new. Getting out of your comfort zone will be scary and uncomfortable, but you will experience something or learn something that will strengthen you.

“If you're in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out, Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.”
Author Unknown, from My Comfort Zone

What is that thing that you know you should try or do to move closer to your dream that is holding you back? Maybe you should learn more about internet marketing, or make more follow-up calls. Or maybe it’s putting up that website or asking someone to collaborate. You know what it is. Choose today to go out of your comfort zone. You will be blessed by it!

Author's Bio: 

Patty Sadallah has 29 years experience as an organization development consultant and executive coach. She is a Dream Partner Catalyst and coaches and consults nonprofits and women owned small business owners around issues of focus and planning, moving them toward her dreams. Find out more about her coaching and consulting at http://www.PattySadallah.com/sq.

She is also the President/Founder of the Redwood Sisterhood, an international women's support community that offers personal and professional development learning opportunities, community bartering through time banking and fun networking events. Here, she brings together the talents and the needs of women and allows these connections to strengthen and uplift the membership. Learn more at (http://www.RedwoodSisterhood.com)

Additional Resources on Women in Business can be found at:

Website Directory for Women in Business
Articles on Women in Business
Products Women in Business
 Discussion Board
Patty Sadallah, the Official Guide to Women in Business