Page 37 - GS201202

Inspiration

Get comfortable with discomfort

t a time when many of us are doing strategic from, perhaps because we don't notice, think we can work
planning and goal setting for the new year, around an issue or believe it doesn't really matter that
I've been thinking about what happens when much. One way to start this process is to identify three
A someone does everything right—writing down things that help you feel comfortable but might hinder you
appropriate, measurable, attainable goals; mapping out from realizing your goals.
the small steps needed to reach the goals; and setting
deadlines for achieving them—but nevertheless comes up What could they be? Maybe you spend an hour on social
short when the deadline arrives. media every evening; you enjoy the interaction and are
comfortable on the various platforms. Your goal, however,
For some folks, this happens year after year, and it's is to start a new business, and you never seem to have
deflating. Are there hidden flaws in their plans? Are they enough time to make it happen. Or perhaps your lunch
lacking support? Did their motivation flag? These and three times a week is fat-laden nachos from a drive-
other factors are likely at play, but I think the primary through QSR instead of a fresh salad you've made yourself.
culprit is an urge toward comfort over progress. This You savor the nachos, but your goal is to be more vibrant
hampers people across the spectrum from low achievers so you can reach more prospects in a day and spend time
to spectacular successes. The lure of comfort, the drift in nature afterwards, too.
toward the familiar holds more sway over us than we
generally like to admit. You see where I'm going with this, right? See if you can
identify comforts that are so habitual that you haven't
Personable merchant level salespeople who break the ice even considered how they might be holding you back.
with prospects in person or on the phone every day— Your spending is one area to look into. Where is your
landing plenty of new accounts in the process—might money going? If you make a lot impulse buys that delight
appear to be stepping outside of their comfort zones. you in the moment when you really want to save money
But are they? What if connecting with prospects is the for a down payment on a home, isn't it time to embrace a
one thing on the job they are most comfortable doing? little discomfort for a greater cause?
And what if the new technology their ISO just rolled out
mystifies them, but they brush it off, because, well, they're So let's all take a good look at our "comforts" now and
signing accounts, aren't they? If so, they aren't getting commit to letting go of those that don't serve our goals, so
out of their comfort zones, and their failure to keep their we can soar higher than ever in 2021.
knowledge current is limiting their success.

When comfort isn't good
So, when making plans for the new year, let's embrace
the notion of getting comfortable with discomfort. This
will require that we take a hard look at our behavior and Kate Gillespie, President and CEO
feelings and be honest about what we're shying away

37