Playing to your strengths, while still working on your weaknesses

I was "coaching" a junior colleague the other day on how to improve professionally.  His problem is that the things he isn't particularly strong in he ignores, and devotes all his time and energy toward the things that he excells at.  Now, that is all well and good if you want to remain stagnant, but if you want to advance and get better, you have to do more.  My advice to him was that he can (and should) keep up the habits that are giving good results, but to make a conscious effort to challange himself and put himself in situations that are out of his comfort zone.

Sounds familiar doesn't it? 

I have always been uber-organized, and I have used that skill post-RNY when it comes to my meal planning.  I have my meals planned out every morning, sometimes days in advance.  I have reminders on my phone that alert me when it is time to eat, just in case I get to busy and lose track of time.  I have my food day planned to the hour...  

BUT - Prior to surgery I loathed excercise.  I hated to sweat, and I always felt awful doing it.  I used to joke that I was allergic to excercise, you know, because it gave me difficulty breathing and my face turned all red and hot. However when I made the decision to change my life, I knew excercise had to be a part of it - so I pushed myself WAY out of my comfort zone and started working with a trainer... in a GYM, no less. .. with OTHER PEOPLE present. I was horrified at first, so nervous and uncomfortable... but that gradually changed.  You know what?  My comfort zone has expanded.

Deep thought for the day - never stop pushing yourself.  It doesn't have to be much, maybe visiting a new church if you are shy, going to a new restaurant if you are in a food rut... whatever.  Being uncormfortable with something shouldn't necessarly equate to not liking it. 

We talk a lot about "personal growth"... but is the flower growing from the seed, or is that seed pushing the flower out? 

Really great post. I too have had an allergy to exercise and plan to move out of my comfort zone. Kinda scary.

I absolutely LOVE your post! Very inspirational!!! I might have to come up with a quote like that and put it on my mirror and read it every day. I'm wierd like that. I like to start my morning with positive things about myself to boost self esteem and also ones that make me grow as a person. I can't explain how much I loved your post! 

Thanks!  Dee

What I have seen as I step out of my comfort zone is that it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I now feel like I can do anything I set my mind to do! It is a new and a very cool feeling!!

Great post!  I to have been challenging my comfort zone as of late and its scary as hell but I keep pushing it and going the extra mile. It feels good, scary but good. Thanks for the nice note and reminder that we can do this and love your analogy of the flower and the seed.  

Have a great one. Oh and I still don't "like" exercise but its "growing" on me   

Daisy

Great post.  I couldn't agree more.  After surgery if we do exactly what we did before surgery, we'll only get ourselves into trouble.  We've got to change and grow.  And exercise is one wonderful way to do it!  Well done you.

Nice inspirational post that could be applied to most walks of life!  

This is excellent!  It is also something that I have been working on. I am pushing CAN'T out of my vocab and it is really enriching my life!