Thanks for taking this March journey through resilience building with me. Last week, we discussed resistance to stepping outside of our comfort zones and a reflection activity that helps to identify the gaps between safety and growth. Knowing what holds us back shifts the power balance and puts us a step closer to bridging that gap.

 

 

There is a lot of natural flow when all of our steps through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs are met. Sometimes, it’s an easy flow. Other times, it feels like there is a fair element of struggle involved. Sometimes, people attempt something a few rungs up from where they are—something that feels largely overwhelming and most definitely uncomfortable and unfamiliar.

 

 

As humans, we are wired to seek comfort and shun discomfort. It keeps us safe. It also keeps us playing small. It definitely keeps us out of places like gyms, marathons, center stage, and our own book signings.

 

To strive means to extend beyond comfort. So how do we do discomfort in a way that allows us to grow in the way we need—to reach the next step?

 

We get comfortable with discomfort.
 

 

It’s as easy and as complicated as that. We reach into our bag of life tools and resources and apply a liberal helping of something that has worked to solve an issue in the past. Sometimes that is all that is needed. Sometimes it falls a little short because what got you here isn’t always the right way to get you where you are heading. We are breaking new ground, extending ourselves, and growing in new and interesting ways.

 

 

I like to help clients build on past resources, past triumphs, and—more importantly—past failures. Because we learn so much from failure when we can see it as a learning tool, not a character flaw. Add in a whole load of acceptance that this is something new and it’s uncomfortable. Bring in NLP and hypnotic techniques that flip the switch on unhelpful inner dialogues and unsupportive behaviours, and we have a pathway to success.

 

Speaking of hypnotic techniques - here is a 6 Minute Moments short hypnotic experience I created to help you. It's called ‘Sitting with Discomfort’ and you can find it on these platforms -

 

 

Once we have established the tools, it’s time to test them out. Join me next week where we discover how to put it to the test.

 

 

Wishing you a progressive week ahead.

 

 

x Marisa