Positive Results by Sabrina

As kids, it feels like we faced new opportunities and fears daily. It seems like it might be harder to face our fears as we ‘grow up’. That’s literally our job as kids. Each day we learn in school, with our friends, on the playground, with family, etc. You headed to a new park with your parents and the shiny new slide loomed in front of you. Climb up and soar down, or stick to the safety of the grass?

As adults, we settle into a routine. We establish careers. We build families and friend circles that don’t change regularly. We’re not greeted with regular opportunities to learn or face our limitations. We have to actively seek new opportunities and we get to choose whether to face our fears or walk away. 

There are many of us who can stay in a career for 10, 15, 20 plus years because we are comfortable there and it’s what we know. Does that guarantee happiness or satisfaction? 

There are many of us who continue to live our daily lives in the same routine, house, neighborhood, etc because it’s what we know. From day to day, a variety of things may attract your attention. You may consider a new house. You may hear about a new restaurant or book store that tempts you away from your routine. What will it take for you to be brave and take the road less traveled?

New baby? New career? New relationship? New physical limits? Where are you headed?

These are some of the quickest examples I can think of from my 20’s to my 40’s but there are so many more.

Change can be exciting. New opportunities can be thrilling. They can also leave us raw or defenseless. The fear and anxiety can be so overwhelming that we freeze in our tracks and cannot move. Your Fight or Flight is activated. That’s a term you hear regularly, right? 

Sometimes FIGHT is the right reaction. Fighting does not have to be a negative thing, in my opinion. Sometimes we get to fight for our progress, happiness and adventure.

When I was in school, I had options presented to me. There were plenty of people who thought they knew what was best for me. I chose to get my degree in business because I did not want to be pigeonholed into any specific industry. For me, having the broader umbrella would allow me to pursue different interests in the future. I had no idea where it would lead. I’ve enjoyed my direct sales business for over a decade and a half. Each time I’ve changed employers, I’ve also enjoyed working in different industries. It has been rewarding to know that I can venture down new roads. I never know where the road is going to lead to or what type of obstacles we may find but the views have been enlightening.

Pursuing this Coaching career has pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways that I never considered. I have had to practice marketing myself in ways that I have not employed in the past. I have networked with new people. I have accepted help from friends and colleagues in ways that I’ve never been comfortable with. I’ve been the first one in line when my friends needed help, but I’m not great at accepting help myself.

This weekend, I participated in my very first running clinic and told myself that I would try everything. Dr./Coach Irina was awesome in offering us all variety in completing the activities that scared us. I chose to participate. I chose to face that fear. After the fact, I can admit that my heart raced and it was so loud at times I was afraid others could hear it. But I did it. With the fear of NOT being able to complete the activity. The fear of making a fool of myself. The fear of injuring myself. There is photographic proof that I laughed and smiled and enjoyed myself. I completed each activity. I am tremendously proud of myself and I honestly look forward to the next time.