Call me crazy, maybe?
Call me crazy, maybe? This weekend I ran back to back 5k's on Friday night and Saturday morning to support two organizations that I am extremely passionate about. It felt great, but it was comfortable. I even surprised myself and fell seconds short of achieving a PR on Friday night's race. I met my personal goal, but I didn't set the bar high enough to PR. I sold myself short.
There have been a few instances this week in which others have amplified the importance of taking risks and it reminded me of the importance of risk not only as human beings but also as leaders...and that's what sprung me out of my comfort zone tonight. We must practice what we preach.
Turn the clock a few years back to a time that I could not be seen out in the public running. I ran alone (usually close to dusk) where few people could see me and I was always by myself. Sometimes I was desperate enough to run around the basement in circles (prior to acquiring my first treadmill). At this point in life, going to the gym wasn't even a consideration. There were a lot of fears that had to be conquered before any of this would be possible. Or what about the time I almost faked sick for my first 5k that I was running with my siblings. Weird I know, but I also feared eating around people outside of my immediate family. This presented its own set of unique challenges and was something that I had to get over as an educator, quite quickly. I lacked a ton of confidence growing up and wasn't comfortable in my own skin. I found excuses (usually work or school) for why I couldn't do things socially. It wasn't until about three years ago that my life changed.
Call me crazy, maybe? but a certain educational book gave me a new lease on life. It was one that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, take risks, and celebrate being me even if it involved a level of quirkiness (just ask my colleagues). That book is called "Teach Like a Pirate" by Dave Burgess. It provided me an outlet and support system to dream up things and goals that I never imagined possible. It also provided me an opportunity to rediscover my passions and reimagine what life really is and what it means to me. Two people this week (you know who you are) talked about risk and what it means to model risk taking and tonight a whole another fear was challenged.
I signed up for a new winter run series, but have contemplated a second just to stay in shape and challenge myself over the winter months. This summer (aside trips to the gym and running to stay in shape) I've been participating in about two races a month. Tonight was the kick off party for the winter run series that I ran in last winter. The catch was if you went and ran with a group and signed up in person, there was a discounted rate on the series, while last night there was a special "eclipse" discount and I could have gotten the series $1 less than I did today. Why didn't I just sign up last night? Because the fear I faced tonight was running "with" others. To some, that may seem like no big deal, but to me it didn't come without anxiety.
I'm going to tell you that was the second best dollar spent of my life. Why? Because magic happens outside of our comfort zone. If we expect others to take risks around us, we need to model the same and practice what we preach. I was not the only one with this fear tonight and I even made a friend to share the experience with. I cannot tell you the sense of relief to have done that, and I wouldn't think twice before doing it again next week.
So I challenge you, what are you going to do tomorrow? The next day? The next day? And the day after that to step out of your comfort zone? Whatever you choose, I promise you that it will be worth it. Great things rarely come from moments of comfort. Be sure to share your story. You might be surprised about the impact that it may have on someone else's life. Take risks and set goals that make you excited to get up every morning.
There have been a few instances this week in which others have amplified the importance of taking risks and it reminded me of the importance of risk not only as human beings but also as leaders...and that's what sprung me out of my comfort zone tonight. We must practice what we preach.
Turn the clock a few years back to a time that I could not be seen out in the public running. I ran alone (usually close to dusk) where few people could see me and I was always by myself. Sometimes I was desperate enough to run around the basement in circles (prior to acquiring my first treadmill). At this point in life, going to the gym wasn't even a consideration. There were a lot of fears that had to be conquered before any of this would be possible. Or what about the time I almost faked sick for my first 5k that I was running with my siblings. Weird I know, but I also feared eating around people outside of my immediate family. This presented its own set of unique challenges and was something that I had to get over as an educator, quite quickly. I lacked a ton of confidence growing up and wasn't comfortable in my own skin. I found excuses (usually work or school) for why I couldn't do things socially. It wasn't until about three years ago that my life changed.
Call me crazy, maybe? but a certain educational book gave me a new lease on life. It was one that encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone, take risks, and celebrate being me even if it involved a level of quirkiness (just ask my colleagues). That book is called "Teach Like a Pirate" by Dave Burgess. It provided me an outlet and support system to dream up things and goals that I never imagined possible. It also provided me an opportunity to rediscover my passions and reimagine what life really is and what it means to me. Two people this week (you know who you are) talked about risk and what it means to model risk taking and tonight a whole another fear was challenged.
I'm going to tell you that was the second best dollar spent of my life. Why? Because magic happens outside of our comfort zone. If we expect others to take risks around us, we need to model the same and practice what we preach. I was not the only one with this fear tonight and I even made a friend to share the experience with. I cannot tell you the sense of relief to have done that, and I wouldn't think twice before doing it again next week. So I challenge you, what are you going to do tomorrow? The next day? The next day? And the day after that to step out of your comfort zone? Whatever you choose, I promise you that it will be worth it. Great things rarely come from moments of comfort. Be sure to share your story. You might be surprised about the impact that it may have on someone else's life. Take risks and set goals that make you excited to get up every morning.
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