Comfort Zone – Bert Oliva

Un-Comfort Zone

By Bert Oliva

23
SEP

So, I’m really uncomfortable. I mean, sincerely, uncomfortable right now. Why? Because I decided to switch my cell phone from an iPhone to an Android. Sounds silly right? Well, I must spend at least 70% of my work day on my phone. I use it for everything: email, motivational moments, writing, filming, research…it is my go-to tool for just about any task you give me. In fact, I’d have to say I’m way more comfortable on a phone than on a computer. And faster too.

Well, I used to be. That is, until I decided to turn my world upside down two weeks ago and switch operating systems. I’ve been an iPhone user since iPhone first came out; I loved the devices. I became so brand loyal that I “Apple-ized” my home and office; I switched out all the PC’s for macs, added Apple routers, even Apple TV’s. My life was easy because everything connected and worked well.

So, why would I decide to upset this sturdy foundation I had setup for myself by getting a different type of phone? Truly? I was intrigued. The Samsung Note was a phone I was interested in playing with since it first came out but I never had the guts to risk it. So I finally decided to take the plunge. The only way I was going to really figure out if I liked it or not was playing with it for a bit, so I did it.

And you know what? I love it. There are options I didn’t know were possible. The customization is next to none. It’s a lot of fun. And there some things it can do that my iPhone just couldn’t.

But, I’m still uncomfortable. I still haven’t found all the right apps for all of my work processes. I haven’t mastered the new steps it takes me to film a motivational moment or anything else. It all still feels very foreign to me at times. I have definitely found myself asking myself “Why on earth did I do this?” at my most frustrated moments.

I’m truly not sure if I will stick with Android or go back to iPhone, but I’m glad I decided to take the leap, even if it is temporarily. Pushing myself outside of my comfort zone has been a great exercise. It’s also forced me to research apps and make sure I am on top of all of the latest developments in my field. Had I not been pushed, I may have stayed stagnate.

This phone story may seem silly to you, but it can be applied to any aspect of our lives. Whenever we get too comfortable, we do not push ourselves to grow as much and begin to stagnate. I’m not saying go out and change your phone; all I’m saying is it’s good to “shake things up” a bit for yourself from time to time.

Live Life,

Bert Oliva

Pushing It

By Bert Oliva

18
SEP

Tonight I went to an event at a spa and I met a lot of really great people. Believe it or not, prior to the event, I really did not feel like going. I’d had a tough day and I really just felt like calling it a day, but I had made a commitment so I followed through. And, as I said, it ended up being a really great time.

The people I met were fun and interesting. We laughed and joked and got to know each other. We made great connections and it should be the beginning of a long relationship. Heck, I even got a free facial! I came home smiling and happy that I went.

However, how many times do we miss out on fantastic opportunities because we don’t push ourselves? How many times do we let ourselves off the hook and just say “It doesn’t matter anyway. I’ll go next time”? Where we justify our choices by saying we’re too stressed, too tired, too overwhelmed? Where we just don’t push ourselves to go because we don’t feel like it?

I know I have at times. And when I’ve chosen not to push myself, I’m always left with “What if’s.” What if I had gone? What if I miss out on something great? What if I had met someone? What if…

Honestly, I don’t feel this way that often anymore because because I’ve learned that any invitation I take, there is always an opportunity there. It may be a business opportunity or an opportunity to meet new people or just an opportunity to have fun, but there is always an opportunity. So, on those moments when I’ve feeling overwhelmed and not up to going somewhere, I just remind myself of the opportunities I will miss if I don’t go.

We are all human and we all have our limits. There are times when we really need to take breaks and not push ourselves to the edge. But if this becomes our habit and our norm, then we are stuck in a vicious cycle that keeps us from growing and reaching our true potential. Remember, growth only happens outside of our comfort zones. That’s why it’s vital for us to keep pushing, especially when we are uncomfortable or “just don’t feel like it.” So, the next opportunity that arises, take it. Push yourself. I promise, you won’t regret the results.

Live Life,
Bert Oliva

Time To Say Yes!

By Bert Oliva

21
JUL

How often do you say “No” to things? Truly? How many times have people invited you to do something or go somewhere and you have turned them down? “No” seems to be the go-to answer for most people nowadays.

I recently realized that I have ended up in a bit of a rut. Friends or family would ask me to do things and I would not go. Not because I had other plans but because I just did not feel like it. In fact, at least for me, there have been times when I find myself saying “No” in my mind before I have even finished hearing a person out. Our lives are so rushed with family, work, and other obligations that our subconscious mind wants to protect us from more exhaustion and says “No” before we really give the situation any thought.

It’s okay to not say “Yes” to every invitation. And it’s okay to listen to your inner self when something is telling you that you do not feel like doing something. However, everything must be done in moderation. And if you want to grow, it’s important to push yourself outside your comfort zone on a regular basis. And I had not been doing that. I had gotten too comfortable in my same old routine. I had gotten lazy. I had gotten stuck in the “No” mindset.

So, this past weekend I got invited to a family party. And, surprise, I did not want to go. However, I pushed past those feelings. I pushed myself to get dressed and join my family at this celebration. And you know what? I had a lot of fun! I reconnected with people I had not seen in ages. And I met some new people. It felt great to be out of my regular routine with people I love and seeing everyone have fun. Being outside my routine also recharged me and got me excited for the week ahead.

So, the next time you find yourself saying “No,” ask yourself why you are saying it. Do you have legitimate reasons? Or have you simply gotten too comfortable in your routine? If you just “don’t feel like it,” push past that. Take the invitation. Take the opportunity. Take the chance. You never know who you will meet, where you may end up, or what creativity might be stimulated inside you. Go ahead, say “Yes”!

PowerTools™
1) This week, do not say “No” to any invitation, unless you have other plans. This is a “Yes” week!

2) After each event or invitation that you take this week, analyze it a bit. What positives came out of it? What would you have missed had you said “No”?

3) Whenever you “don’t feel like” doing something, take a moment to figure out where that feeling is coming from. Does it have merit? Have you been working really hard lately, etc.? Or are you just too comfortable and don’t want to push yourself out of your comfort zone? If that’s the case, then it’s the perfect time for growth and to say “Yes.”

Live Life,
Bert Oliva

Posts Tagged 'Comfort Zone'

Un-Comfort Zone

Pushing It

Time To Say Yes!